ardenwi--~ ~ THE NEWSLETI'ER OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS, VOL IX, JUIX 1997 ISSN 0129 - Board will be re-located within the MESSAGE heart of the premier garden of the nation. What better source of MESSAGE inspiration for the task at hand? MESSAGE The Singapore Botanic Gardens in turn must fullfil its twin roles of a FROM THE CEO .... premier botanic institution as well as the flagship park and site of the Board. The physical attributes of the Gardens as a tranquil and aesthetically pleasing amenity n July 1997, the National Parks wherein the fruits of the labour of Board celebrates its first tropical botanists and horticulturists birthday. Doubletake. Hasn't I are on display have long been the Board been around for so long enjoyed and admired by millions of · that it is now known by its acronym visitors. Besides being the repository NParks? Yes indeed. The Board of important historical living, came into existence in June 1990. preserved and printed botanical But, ~ the marketing men would say, reference collections, it is also the the bigger, better, new and improved seat of botanical and horticultural version only came into existence in research, education and training. July 1996. Lay and professional botanists and We are still in the throes of horticulturists gravitate to the adjusting to the merger of the Parks Gardens to meet, work and and Recreation Department and the disseminate their expertise. 0 N T E N T former NParks to form the new c s The unique situation of having . In fact, the Message From The CEO 2 the NParks headquarters in the bulk of the staff from the former Singapore Botanic Gardens is that The Magnificent Tembusu 3 Parks and Recreation Department here is gathered the very nourishment not only have to adjust to the change A Room With A View 4 which is needed to sustain our staff of working in a government in their work. Institutional knowledge VIP Orchids 6 department to operating as members and memory in tropical botany and of a statutory body, but they must Forest 8 horticulture can now be combined also become used to being part of a with that in tropical park and Seychelles Nut, Coco-De-Mer, larger organisation which includes greenery development, management or Double Coconut, the staff of the former NParks. What and maintenance, and stored for A Spectacular Palm In we now have is a statutory board ready access. This motherlode will The Gardens 12 with a staff establishment totalling ensure that the quality of work of the 591 permanent members and 468 day BG-Base: Board is sustained at a high level. The labourers. Our operating A Curatorial Tool For The newest equipment and products, the expenditure in the current fiscal year Living Collection In The latest innovations and the freshest is S$79,300,000.00, with an additional Singapore Botanic Gardens 14 approaches can readily be made S$31,168,190.00 for development available to the staff. In sum, the Front Cover: projects. Translate these figures into in headquarters is situated plumb The spectacular ' Double Coconut' the Gardens; re-apportioned work loads and the fruiiS in the foreground are one year old. centre where the many needs and responsibilities, and it becomes clear requirements of professionals in why the staff require some time to tropical botany and horticulture can re-orient and settle down. best be met. To speed up the process of adjustment within NParks, the senior The Gardens in turn must respond with renewed vigour in staff held a staff conference in a adhering to its dynamic re­ ~PARKS modest retreat. Sequestered in the development programme to appropriately named Orchid Inn a Editors: transform itself from a pretty, shared vision was forged, and a ~ew Chin See Chung tranquil green lung into the strong Foong Thai Wu mission statement agreed upon: We make Singapore our Garden. With and vital heart of NParks. In so Designer: doing, it will surely blaze a trail as a Eng Siak Loy this bold statement, we have set as new generation botanic garden of the our primary objective the creation of Production Manager: future. Wong Wei Har a garden environment in which the NATIONAL PARKS BOARD people of Singapore will live, work Singapore Botanic Gardens and play. To underline this Cluny Road, Singapore 259569 commitment, the headquarters of the Dr Tan Wee Kiat

2 In The Beginning, 1840-1860 The heavy yellow clay soil was breeze ignited the hot dry forest. poorly drained and aerated, yet this The fire driven by a strengthening n 1859 when the Singapore tembusu thrived. Nourished by the westerly breeze consumed much of Botanic Gardens was bright sunshine and the frequent the understorey ferns and shrubs. It I established at its present site, rains, its roots spread widely to singed most of the leaves of this tree the southern area bordered by what gather scarce nutrient from a soil and threatened its existence. But its is now Cluny Road, Tyersall Avenue impoverished by multiple crops of thick bark saved the tree. Only a and Holland Road, was under a Gambir. It developed a conical form strip on one side where there was a relatively low scrubby vegetation. typical of the saplings of this species. particularly dense accumulation of The area had been cleared of high From its vertical stem many dried litter was burnt through. Very forest and used for Gambir branches developed with upturned soon after, the fire passed by, to cultivation before being abandoned, ends; towards the base many of the gradually burn itself out. In the probably in the 1840's. lower branches were horizontal months to follow the young tree before arching up. The tree was recovered. New twigs and new covered in shiny light green leaves leaves clothed the tree again; the almost to the ground. Around it, the forest too recovered and was soon The forest grew denser and more varied green. Eventually as the tree as new plants established. increased in girth, the scar was enclosed in wood, to become a Magnificent Rainstorms often lashed the permanent reminder, and record, of area and small branches would this fire. sometimes be wrenched from the Temlmsu tree. But the tree, now firmly

2 When man stopped cultivating rooted, grew taller and stronger with 1860-1970 the land, nature reasserted itself. the passing of the years. It grew In the early 1860's the From seeds stored in the ground, slowly, producing a pair of leaves at a secondary forest in this part of the from seeds freshly deposited by time, from the ends of its fine twigs Gardens was cleared to establish the birds and fruit bats and from those where its young buds are protected roads and lawns. This bushy brought in by wind, the forest began from the burning sun by a layer of tembusu with a lovely compact form, regenerating. The seed of this varnish-like exudate. The girth tembusu tree, together with those of increased imperceptible as cell by many other species, had been cell, fibre by fibre, its substance was brought in by fruit eating birds. laid down. The woody tissue was a When they moved on after feeding pale yellow and hard, very hard. and perch elsewhere, the birds had Man found its wood most suitable for deposited the seeds which had house and bridge building. It also l. The Tembusu (Fagraeafragrans) in bloom passed through their guts unharmed. became the most popular wood for 2. The branch that distinguishes this prized tree The nutrients in this tiny amount of chopping boards, and remains so still. waste served as nourishment for the One day, after a drought period fragile seeds as they pushed their of two weeks, a carelessly thrown first leaves into the air. cigar butt, fanned by the warm continued on pg 16 3 s you land your foot on the Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) last step, you heave a sigh of playfully dashes up and down the A relief and rest to catch your branches and trunk of P breath. Take a few more steps and pterocarpum deftly. The white, enter the room to your right. black and orange strips outlining Welcome to a room with a view and both sides of its body add a touch of listen to the rhythm oflife ...... colour to its otherwise dull brown fur. Presently, in a demonstration of Your eyes sweep casually machismo in the Animal Kingdom, across a panoramic view of a rich two male specimens of the Common biodiversity of flora and fauna Flying Dragon (Draco volans) try to framed on the left by a Baphia fence outdo each other in the flashing of that screens off the busy traffic and the conspicuous yellow flag. This the hustle bustle of mundane life and structure protrudes from the on the right by the Bauhinia lawn. reptile's throat. Its name is a misnomer - it is not a dragon but a reptile from the taxonomic family A T{ooH! K'!tH A Wew Agamidae. Surely Respighi could

4 I. A vista from the room with a view. As you telescope in from near to far, have been inspired by the cacophony 2. The Common F1ying Dragon scuttles up the Peltophorum pterocarpum (Yellow of bird songs and sounds provided Yellow F1arne tree. Flame), Pterocarpus indicus by a dawn chorus of the Common 3. The Asian Brown F1ycatcher eludes the vigilant (Angsana), Tectona grandis (Teak), Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), the Singapore Immigration Department to visit its favourite Yellow F1arne refuge. Calophyllum inophyllum (Penaga Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus laut), Byrsonima crassifolia, chinensis), the Yellow-vented 4. The White-vented Myna takes a rest from its untidy nest-building. Hevea brasiliensis (Rubber), Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), and 5. The Collared KingfiSher surveys from a vantage­ Podocarpus rumphii, and an the Spotted Dove (Streptopelia branch. elegant Pometia pinnata (Kasai chinensis). A pleasingly persistent daun besar) gradually come into 'ku-ku-kurr' of the Spotted Dove is focus. often interspersed with the bubbling Closer, framing the scene, a sweet musical chuckle of the Yellow­ vented Bulbul and the melodious magnificent P pterocarpum is decorated with yellow flowers, fluty whistles of the Black-naped which constantly attract the Giant Oriole. The loud syncopated ko-el, repeated ala crescendo, of the Honey Bee, Megapis dorsata and Common Koel occasionally breaks the Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa latipes. The sympodial structure of the monotony of the day. the crown gives the yellow flame an Singapore also plays host to air of hospitality, providing a much tourist other than a human kind: the welcomed shade for Singapore Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa Botanic Gardens' visitors. In the dauurica) is a 13 em greyish brown meantime, you are distracted by the bird with a prominent white eye­ multiple activities at the different ring. It makes its annual pilgrimage altitudinal levels. The Plaintain to Singapore from late August and

4 stays until April to escape the severe A little further back, distinctive white collar. winter of Central Asia. Byrsonima crassifolia and Occasionally, it perches on a bare Bauhinia racemosa grace the lawn branch and waits for an opportune As you can see, the Yellow on either side of the road. moment to swoop down to an Flame is not just a tree: it plays host B. crassifolia with its larger crown unsuspecting insect or worm. It is to humans and animals as it quietly and a ramifying root system, serves usually found in the wetlands, goes about taking in carbon dioxide as a shade provider and soil occurring mostly at tidal mangroves, prodigiously produced by the stabiliser. The smaller B. racemosa sandy beaches and coastal scrubs. greenhouse Earth and giving off the laden with Wac flowers forms a But in recent times, it has been all too precious oxygen in the day favourite prop for childplay. increasingly sighted at inland time. gardens and parks, probably due to The raucous harsh call of the The Yellow Flame and the Teak, the reduction of its natural habitat. White-vented Myna (Acridotheres standing side by side, present a lesson It is one of the eight species of javanicus) draws one to its nest on in contrast. The bright cheerful kingfishers found in Singapore. the tray beneath the air-conditioner. yellow inflorescence of P The White-vented Myna is an untidy After this feast for one's eyes, pterocarpum overshadows the nest-builder. It started to build its albeit a brief respite, it is time for us inconspicuous white flowers of T nest around February 1997 and its at the Nature Conservation Unit to grandis. While the Yellow Flame is diligent collection of twigs has return to the paper-work and the covered with brown flat pods, the amassed the stockpile to a fair size reports and the computer and the Teak produces inflated lantern­ now. Was this odd nest site chosen meetings ...... until it is time again shaped fruits. The delicately fine so that the little chicks could be for another panorama from this room pinnate leaves of the P pterocarpum rocked by the gentle vibrations of with a view. contrast sharply with the enormous the air-conditioner? plain 'tobacco'-leaves of the T grandis. Even in terms of economic The Collared Kingfisher Chew Ping Ting, Cheryl Chia botany, these two trees have (Halcyon chloris) announces its Saifuddin and Lena Chan different uses: in monsoon countries presence with its shrill staccato Nature Conservation Unit where the Teak thrives well, it is a krerk krerk krerk krerk laugh. As Singapore Botanic Gardens valued timber species while the it flies across the Yellow Flame its Yellow Flame's horticultural function bright turquoise plumage flash~s by cannot be understated. and one gets a quick glimpse of its

5 s Singapore orchids gained Dendrobium Nursultan fame internationally, the Nazabayer 'Sara' (Dendrobium A Goverrunent decided to use Fairy Wong x Autumn Show) the opportunity to name new hybrids as agents to promote goodwill and This hybrid was named after closer ties between nations. Since the wife of the President of Republic 1957 the Singapore Government of Kazakstan on 30 May 1996 to began to honour State Visitors and commemorate her visit to the VIPs from within and outside . This Singapore by naming selected orchid compact free flowering flowers hybrids after them. This prized at a height of 45 em and grows well collection of "VIP Orchids" has in partial shade. The semi-erect become an important attraction of spray is about 40 em long with about the National Orchid Garden. 14 flowers each. The flower is a "VIP ORCHIDS" OF THE SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS FOR 1996

Preparations to name an phalaenopsis type with overlap orchid after a VIP start when a between the floral segments. The request is received from the Ministry flower is flat, round and bright pink of Foreign Affairs. New orchid with a darker pink lip. Each flower is hybrids that have not been named about 7 em wide and 6 em long. and that will be flowering during the Vanda Takeshi Numata (Vanda time of the naming ceremony will be Josephine van Brero x Vanda selected, described and Suksumran Blue) photographed. Lastly, the orchid plants will be "groomed" for the final This hybrid was named after presentation, by being cleaned and the Governor of Chiba Prefecture, neatly pruned and repotted. Japan during his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 14 August 1996. To date the Gardens has named This Yanda grows and flowers well in over 90 VIP orchids. The first VIP full sun and is suitable for growing in orchid was named Aranthera Anne pots or in beds. The flower sprays Black in 1956, after Lady Black, are about 25 em long and each wife of former Governor of carries 8 to 10 flowers. The flowers Singapore, Sir Robert Black. are large and attractive with colours Last year four new members ranging from bluish to pinkish. The 3 were added to the Hall of Fame: lip is eye catching because its darker Dendrobium Jean-Luc Dahanae shade contrast strongly against the 'Celia' (Dendrobium Alkaff lighter coloured sepals and petals. Melissa White x Dendrobium Mokara WfO (Mokara Khaw Waianae Blush) Phaik Suan x Ascocenda Fortune East) This hybrid was named after the wife of the Prime Minister of This hybrid was named to Belgium on 26 February 1996 during commemorate the World Trade her visit to the National Orchid Organisation Conference held in Garden. This is a medium-sized Singapore in December 1996. This Dendrobium which grows well in robust vandaceous hybrid flowers at semi-shade. The arching sprays are 60 em tall and bears sprays about 40 about 40 em long with 12 flowers em long, each carrying about 15 each. The petals and sepals are flowers. The flowers are a brillant white grading to peach at the base of yellow or orange with darker spots. the flower while the lip is an 1. Dendrobium Jean-Luc Dahanae 'Celia' attractive peach. 2. Dendrobium Nursultan Nazabayer 'Sara' Whang Lay Keng The flowers measure 6 em Assistant Manager/National Orchid Garden 3. Makara WTO wide and 5 em long. Singapore Botanic Gardens 4. Vanda Takesbi Numata

6 4 7 orest plant life is very fascinating. There are so F many kinds of plants to start with that even a trained botanist may spend his lifetime learning only a portion of the subject. To experience the forest you have only to visit the Nature Reserves - 11 one impulse from a vernal wood tells you more than what all books can 11 (Wordsworth) .

Vegetation I Forest 'JYpes A rich diversity of plant species still exists in our tropical lowland evergreen rainforest. This original vegetation is solely confined to parts of Nature Reserve, Nee Soon freshwater swamp and relic patches in the central water catchment around MacRitchie, Peirce and Seletar Reservoirs. The primary forest at Bukit Timah is typical of the coastal hill forest type because of the presence of Seraya (Shorea curtisii). This species, formally thought to be confined only to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, is also found at a primary forest site fringing the MacRitchie Reservoir at approximately 35m above sea level. In Peninsular this species is usually restricted to altitudes above 250 metres, on isolated peaks and coastal hills. Seraya trees can be easily recognised by their bluish-grey crowns that stand out like cauliflowers in aerial photographs. Besides the primary forest, there exists also the secondary forest which makes up the bulk of the forested areas in the nature reserves. This type of forest, simplified in structure and composition, is found at various stages of ecological succession. Secondary forest is the result of past disturbances by man through timber exploitation and various crop cultivation. In a primary forest the trees form a multi-layered closed canopy and the sunlight that filters through to the forest floor results in an environment of low light regime. Here you can walk through the forest amongst the big boles without difficulty. But in a secondary

Forest Stratification Stratification is a notable feature of the rainforest. The forest typically exhibits three to five layers of vegetation. The uppermost or emergent layer is made up of trees which usually rise to a height of 35 to 50 metres or more. They form a discontinuous layer of wide crowns. The second layer of trees or main canopy below the emergent species is more closely placed and tends to form a continuous canopy. The third layer or understorey is composed of trees shaded by the canopy. The three tree layers are also associated with various populations of climbers, epiphytes and hemi-parasites, distributed according to their light requirements. Apart from the tree layers, there is the shrub layer consisting of shrubs and saplings. Finally, there is the herb layer consisting of seedlings or small, non­ woody plants.

Trees The whole organization of the forest is controlled by the tallest trees at both the emergent and main canopy layers. Although no single tree species dominates the forest community, the presence of giant individuals belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae e.g. Meranti (Shorea spp.), Keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.), Mersawa (Anisoptera spp.), Merawan (Hopea spp.) and Resak (Vatica spp.) is overwhelming. Other tree species of equally magnificent stature are Kempas (Koompassia malaccensis), Sepul (Parishia insignis), Jelutong (Dyera costulata), Keledang (Artocarpus lanceifolius) and Keranji (Dialium platysepalum). These trees have long, straight trunks and they do not branch till near the top.

~ Shorea curtisii with its bluish-gray crown as seen from an aerial view over the quartz ridge of Klang Gates, Peninsular Malaysia. continued on pg 10 ------p ~~------

continued from pg 9 The understorey layer of trees structurally adapted to reflect of the common partial parasites or consists of poles or inunature harmful ultraviolet light while hemi-parasites are those belonging to individuals from the upper storey absorbing only visible light essential the mistletoe family (Loranthaceae). and small trees. Here the majority of for photosynthesis. Many of the One category of figs known as tree species are of the herbs are aroids, gingers, orchids 'stranglers' actually starts life as Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and ferns. epiphytes when birds or animals Pulnonaceae,Lauraceae, deposit seeds on the branches of , and Guttiferae. trees. The aerial roots sent down Climbers, Epiphytes And from above will ramify and Hemi-Parasites eventually coalesce to form a Shrubs It is common to encounter an latticework constricting the growth The vegetation at the shrub assemblage of herbaceous climbing of its host tree. Most roots are layer is equally diverse. Some of the plants or woody ones called lianes contractile and may "compress" the species, e.g. the tall gingers, look like that take root in the ground but use host tree to death. shrubs, but are not woody and are other plants as supports. They do morphologically herbs. The slender this in order to reach for sunlight shrub, Kecubong hutan where their foliage and flowers can Other Features Of The Forest (Rothmannia macrophylla) has be exposed. Climbers have modified Among the interesting features fragrant trumpet-shaped white organs such as tendrils, hooks, of the rainforest are trees with flowers with a purple-spotted throat. twining stems and holdfast-like aerial spectacular buttresses and stilt-roots Another shrub, the Jef\iulong roots to aid their anchorage and which serve as possible means of (Agrostistachys longifolia) has a growth. The lengthy and flexible support. Stilt-roots are a common litter-collecting rosette of leaves stems of climbers are composed of feature of the mangrove and fresh­ which acts as a reservoir for the numerous wide xylem vessels for the water swamp forests where the plant to trap and obtain additional translocation of water and mineral substrate is soft and inundated by nutrients. In this layer saplings of elements from roots to the leaves. water and less common in the drier Rengas (Gluta wallichii) are In the forest, the ecological forest. Cauliflory or flowers borne on commonly encountered. The sap/ role of climbers is a major one as the trunk is one of nature's curiosities resin of this species (from the mango they help to close the canopy and, in terms of pollination biology. family, Anacardiaceae, and related to together with the trees, stabilise the Dipterocarps with two- or three­ the poison ivy of temperate microclimate underneath. Arboreal winged fruits are adapted for wind countries) can cause irritation, animal movements and seed dispersal. These wings are elongated, rashes and even painful blisters to dispersal throughout the forest by persistent flower sepals which cause the skin on contact. Diminutive these frugivores are also facilitated the fr uits to twirl as they fall. palms and screw-pines (Pandanus between vine-covered trees. On the spp.) that look like small trees are Leaves with drip tips are most other hand, climber-laden trees risk also represented here. prevalent in understorey saplings being pulled down by other trees in where the relative humidity is high. the event of a fall. Tree growth may These elongated and tapered tips be retarded when climbers smother Herbs serve to drain water from the leaves their foliage from above. Climbing and to prevent loss of soluble Below the closed canopy of the palms such as rattans have edible nutrients by leaching and the forest, the uniform environment is fruits but their prickly whips are formation of epiphylls (algae, fungi, characterised by low light intensity, things best avoided in one's path lichens and mosses) which can high humidity and a relatively through the forest. One of the interfere with the plant's biological constant temperature. The ground climbing ferns, Paku akar functions. flora has a very controlled (Stenochlaena palustris) has pink Ants are known to form a microclimate. Plants living in such and succulent young fronds that are symbiotic association with some conditions lose little water by sometimes eaten as a vegetable. plants. Within the stipules of evaporation and can only utilise Epiphytes and hemi-parasites Common Mahang (Macaranga weak light for photosynthesis. Some normally occur on tree trunks and triloba) are found starch grains on of their leaves have a tendency to be branches at various levels of the which the ants feed; they in turn broad, thin and even variegated. The forest structure. Staghorn Fern help to keep predators away from incidence of green or blue iridescent (Platycerium coronarium) and the plant. These ants make holes in foliage demonstrates adaptation for Broad-leaved Hoya (Hoya latifolia) the internodes of hollow stems to survival in deep forest shade. The are epiphytic plants which attach or serve as homes; they also 'excavate' leaves of the Peacock Fern perch on limbs of trees without the pith to enlarge their living space. (Selaginella willdenowii) performs taking any direct nourishment from a selective function; they are their support unlike parasites. Some

10 Dynamics The state of the forest is dynamic rather than static. Forest gaps are formed in the canopy when trees fall or die. A cycle of growth or regeneration follows. With the opening of the canopy, the increase in light to the forest floor stimulates the growth of seeds, seedlings and saplings. Fast growing pioneers of light-demanding species like Mahang (Macaranga spp.) Silver Back (Rhodamnia cinerea), Balek angin (Mallotus paniculatus) and Tiup-tiup (Adinandra dumosa) may grow first, to be overtaken and shaded by climax (primary) forest species which follow. Provided the conditions are favourable for regeneration, a virgin forest that is severely disturbed can take a very long time to revert back to a semblance of its original (or near original) state once it has been reduced to a secondary forest. Such is the complex nature of the forest ecosystem. The forest and its ecosystem provide a unique dwelling for all its inhabitants. But Man is a constant and serious threat to the natural environment. The appreciation and study of forest plants and dynamics will help us to better understand the nature of the rainforest. Hopefully this will provide us with guidelines to protect, preserve and manage our forests for posterity. "/ am life that wills to live, in the midst of life that wills to live," said Albert Schweitzer.

Ali Ibrahim Istana & Conservation Management Division

1. A regenerated stand of matured secondary forest along the water margins of MacRitchie Reservoir. 2. Rothmannia macrophyUa opening with an overpowering scent to lure its pollinators. 3. Winged fruits of Gluta wallichii with black­ stained exudate. 4. A bluish shine resulting from light reflected off the Peacock fern (SelagineUa wiUdenowii).

5. A climber of Entada spimlis resembling a celestial spiral-staircase.

6. DiUenia grandifolia exhibiting a unique display of stilt-roots.

7. The split fruits of the cauliflorous DySOX"IJlUm cauliflorum.

8. Macamnga triloba living in harmony with an ant community. 6 8 11 Introduction y whatever name it is called, this is a rare and fascinating B pahn. Those who have strolled on Lawn D next to Holttum Hall would have seen this beautiful and massive pahn bearing its huge characteristic fruits. This is Lodoicea maldivica, or commonly known as the Double Coconut. It is not closely related to the common coconut at all but received its name because its immense fruits resemble a pair of coconuts joined Siamese­ twin fashion.

Seychelles Nut, Coco~De~Mer, or Double Coconut, A Spectacular Palm In The Gardens

History As early as the year 1500, tales of strange nuts found washed up on the shores of the Indian Ocean were reported and as plants bearing such nuts were unknown, tales persisted that these fruits mysteriously grew on submerged trees. It was said that these trees were clearly visible on cahn days but astonishingly disappeared when sailors dived for them. Their mythical origin and rarity led to great medicinal values being attributed to the albumen, or the white meat, within the nut. The nuts were credited with being a positive antidote for all forms of poison. Thus, it is not surprising that Princes and potentates at that time were willing to pay a very high price for these mysterious fruits, since they, prone to use such poison on others, were constantly in fear of being made victims themselves of some wily poisoner. Rudolph II of Germany is said to have offered, unsuccessfully, 4,000 florins for one nut and A.M. Rothon in his book,

12 Voyage to Madagascar, stated that it was not uncommon to see these nuts sold for £400 sterling as late as the year 1759. When Seychelles Islands were first explored in 1743, the true source of these nuts was at last discovered. And they were growing in thousands. Though the nuts have been widely scattered by currents of the Indian Ocean, surprisingly, for some unknown reason none was known to germinate on foreign shores.

The Plants Lodoicea maldivica is a robust, solitary palm that can grow up to a height of 25 m in its native habitat. It is dioecious, which means that the male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. The male flowers are yellow and borne on massive sausage-like spikes 1 - 2 m long. The female flowers are borne from thick stalks, and consist of an ovary 5 - 10 em across, covered on the lower half by broad overlapping envelopes. The enormous leaves of this palm are fan-shaped with stalks 2 - 4 m long and blades, 4 - 6 m long and 2 - 4 m across. The fruits are truly remarkable and are the biggest and heaviest in the whole vegetable kingdom. From the time the female flower is fertilised, the fruit takes 6 or more years to mature. The fruits are typically two-lobed, about 45 em long and weigh 10 -25 kg. They usually contain one seed but there are some which may contain 2 to 3 seeds and can weigh over 45 kg. Lodoiceas mature slowly and will begin fruiting only when about 25 years old.

1. Lodoicea maldivica in Lawn D of the Gardens. 2. Male inflorescence. 3. Chin See Chung collecting pollen from the male inflorescence.

4. Author in the process of pollinating the female flowers.

5. Ripe fruits eight years after pollination. Top left, 5 a partially dehusked fruit with 3 seeds; bottom left, a cleaned seed.

continued on pg 15 13 ,....------

eg. using a system of catalog cards, accessions file : stores accession cannot satisfactorily cope with such dates, propagule types, wild origin complications for obvious reasons, information, received dates, sources, etc. computerised plant records names file : stores all taxonomic, management solves many of the nomenclatural information and, problems with ease and speed. phenological information, common names, distribution, etc BG-BASE version 4.52 was plants file : stores information on acquired and installed in a current and previous locations, standalone PC in Jan 97, making the health, planting dates, and physical Singapore Botanic Gardens the 83rd botanical institution to be installed information, etc. with BG-BASE. Other botanical plant sources file : stores sources

TOOLFORTHELMNG IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

he Singapore Botanic institutions using BG-BASE include including contact numbers, Gardens manages a sizeable the Royal Botanic Garden addresses, fax, etc. T living collection of plants. (Edinburgh), Brooklyn Botanical data sources file : contains Amongst other things, the careful Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens bibliographic citations used to documentation of this collection (Peradeniya), World Conservation evaluate information entered into distinguishes the gardens from parks Monitoring Centre, Arnold other parts of the system. and display Gardens. To curate the Arboretum of Harvard University, The advantage of such a design collection effectively requires an Fairchild Tropical Garden, Royal is that a plant name, or a plant institutional commitment and a Botanic Garden (Kew), National source record needs only be entered realization of its importance to the Botanic Garden (Dublin), etc. The once into the system. For example, Gardens. The value and importance software was selected for the if maingayi was of the living collection is arguably, Gardens' use after making numerous introduced into the Gardens, then underpinned by the set of plant enquiries with existing users and the name record needs only be records information that is kept on reviewing and comparing with some created once. Subsequent the collection. This set of plant records management software introductions of the same species information, therefore, is one of the available in the industry, such as will use the same name record that most important sets of information pcTropicos and Ness-plants©. has already been created. This that the Gardens possesses. A well BG-BASE is a complex reduces inconsistency and kept system of plant records program that has been written on redundant data in the system, which information serves as a central Advanced Revelation®, a relational is difficult to achieve in a flatfi.le repository for all information about database software. Work on BG­ database system. the collection. The more accurate BASE began in 1985 at the Arnold and complete such information is, The other key feature of BG­ Arboretum when the director of the the more readily are we able to fulfill BASE is that Advanced Revelation® arboretum foresaw the needs for a the functions of the Gardens in the allows variable length field database management application areas of research, education and environment, compared to fixed (system support and development public display. length field environment used by are now provided by The Holden FoxPro®, Paradox®, Access®, Managing plant records Arboretum and Royal Botanic dBase®, etc. In the latter examples, information is inherently a time Garden, Edinburgh). As opposed to it means that every field and record consuming and complex task, made a conventional flatfile database (such uses the same number of so by the fact a plant's name may as dBase®), records in BG-BASE are prespecified characters, regardless change, it may have synonyms, a organised as files which are then of the amount of information that is plant may have more than one valid related to one another using actually entered into each field. family, and plant inventories are common information called fields With variable length environment, never static as plants are removed (hence relational). In the Living fields will expand and contract to fit due to death or transplanting, and Collections Module, which is the the amount of data captured, with a new plants are added to the module installed in the system in the very high upper limit to the number collection all the time, and so on. Gardens (at the moment), the files of characters that can be entered Whereas a manual system of records, that are commonly used include: (about 64 000 characters or 64k).

14 continued from pg 13 This feature greatly reduces making plant tags and labels. Such a In Seychelles, the leaves of the wastage of disk space. computerised engraving system will the palm are traditionally employed greatly reduce the time taken to tag for thatching, as well as for making The Gardens' computerised plant with their accession numbers, hats, baskets and mats. The shells plant records database is now at the which is currently done using of the nuts are used for bowls, most crucial stage of its setup, that aluminium strips. Finally, the design plates and other utensils. The of data-entry, for BG-BASE is only as of BG-BASE also allows the sweetish, white, jelly-like contents good as the data that it has captured. exchange of plant records of young nuts can be eaten as a Data-entry is coordinated and information between the Singapore delicacy. undertaken by the newly formed Plant Records Unit of the Research Botanic Gardens and Botanic Branch, and is expected to continue Gardens Conservation International' Our Plants until the first quarter of 1998 for the following the International Transfer basic plant inventory information to Format for Botanic Garden Plant In the Singapore Botanic be captured. The information Records (ITF) #, thereby enhancing Gardens, we have two plants of the role of the Gardens in the captured will enable the Gardens' ex situ Lodoicea maldivica and we are staff to make enquiries on for conservation of plant resources of fortunate that we have one of each example: number of taxa of the world. sex. The male is located in Palm cultivated plants in the Gardens; list Computerised plant Valley and the female, on Lawn D plants found in any location(s); information databases made possible next to Holttum Hall. Both were cultivated plants belonging to a by the use of information technology, planted in 1955, making them 42 particular genus/ family/ order/ indeed offer many promises, and are years old now. special groups; accession perhaps an inevitable move, Since they were planted so far information of a particular plant; comparable to the transformation of apart, we have to hand pollinate in locations where a particular plant many operations in our workplace order to get fruits. To do so, the can be found in the Gardens, etc. through the use information fresh pollen collected is brushed on For the information captured to technology. BG-BASE, however, is to the stigmatic surface of the remain updated, a system of nothing more than a tool, and cannot female at a time when there is a feedback on the movement, planting function to its fullest potential clear gummy secretion exuding. It and removal of plants in the Gardens without the human input and may sound easy, but not so in the has also been implemented so that cooperation from the many staff of field. We have to monitor the such information will be received by the Gardens. female flowers very closely because the Plant Records Unit on a routine the receptive period when the basis. In fact, this systematic flow of stigma is moist with the gummy information from the staff • The Botartic Gardens Conservation International is an independent charity registered in secretion lasts only about 3 - 5 days. maintaining the plants is critical for the United Kingdom with member botanic gardens all If pollination is successful, the the success of BG-BASE as a basic over the world. It was established in 1987 as part of IUCN's World Conservation Union, to encourage ovary begins swelling visibly after plant inventory monitoring tool. botanic gardens and arboreta of the world to work together as a global network for conservation. about two weeks. It then grows Apart from being used on rapidly reaching its maximum size • The ITF is a set of standards for exchanging plants that have already been computerised data on plant records that was after about a year. It is at this age planted in the Gardens, BG-BASE is published in 1988. that the fruits are apparently best also used to track plants in the for eating. nursery at the Plant Resource We are proud that we have Centre. The system is now TanPuayYok these two spectacular plants in the networked using the four computers Senior Research Officer/Plant Records Gardens, even more so now that we in the Research Branch in a Local Singapore Botanic Gardens are successfully causing them to Area Network, allowing multiple bear fruits. The first batch of logging onto the system at any point eleven fruits pollinated in 1989, are of time. The use of BG-BASE can ripening and we are looking forward also be expanded further by to germinating them so that more capturing plant phenological trees can be planted. It will take information, thereby creating many more years for these to another database for interesting mature, but the successful horticultural information on propagation of this palm will give cultivated plants. In addition, the great satisfaction and pleasure to all Public Access Module of BG-BASE is our horticultural staff who have available. When purchased this can been nurturing the parents ever so be installed in the future Public carefully over the years. Reference Centre of the library for use by the public to make enquiries about the living collection in the Alan Tan Chye Soon Gardens. Output from BG-BASE can Assistant Manager also be directed to an engraver for Singapore Botanic Gardens Management

15 continued from pg 3 and shiny green leaves shimmering horizontally from the base of the now relentlessly, caused some wood to in the sun, together with several massive main stem, first bending rot, forming a hollow. The great tree other selected trees, was retained; down then arching upwards after did not succumb, completely. The its location was designated as Lawn several meters. TWo branches rot however weakened several of the E. The rest of the vegetation was actually touched the ground before low branches, and in the early 1970's cleared, arranged in massive piles turning up. they had to be reluctantly pruned and after a drying period of some off. In an act akin to tree dentistry, There were three such trees on the hollow was filled with cement. weeks, burnt. the same lawn. Trios from the same TWo of the branches removed were The tree passed into maturity era. Each had the same basic form those that touched the ground. The and developed its characteristic with low arching branches, yet they tree however stubbornly prevailed, thick rugged bark with alternate were distinct. The trees became a the remaining low branch became ridges and fissures; however, it was landmark in the Gardens. Visitors even more popular. By now a third still a very small specimen of its made their choices and had their generation of visitors could associate species. preferences as to which was their with this tree. Children who climbed favourite tree. In response to slight changes in this branch and the two others, now the rainfall pattern, the tembusu The right of the trees to live no more, decades ago, brought their flowers twice a year, a main season did not go unchallenged. Storms children, and they in turn their in May or June and a smaller one in whipped them and many a times children. Lovers who used to meet October or November. The flowers lightning came threateningly close. under this tree, returned with their are creamy white, almost 2 Termites were always chewing away families. The tree became, to the centimetres across and are arranged at the dead outer bark, but many who visited through the in clusters. They become yellow fortunately the bitter living bark was decades, a symbol, a part of their with age, before they drop after five unpalatable even to termites and happy, fading, memories of the or six days. At night the flowers prevents them from doing real Gardens and for visitors from afar, of exude a perfume that seems damage. Likewise few insects find Singapore. particularly heady on clear starry their living leaves tasty. The trees In the early 1980's an unusually nights when the air is light. The remained sound; the very hard wood fierce tropical storm swept through scent carried by light breezes, resisted decay. The many wood the Gardens. The raging wind shook spreads through this lawn and chewing insects that were always this tree and strained every one of beyond, attracting moths. About probing, trying to find a weakness, its massive roots; it tossed the end three months later, the small globose were deterred. Protective chemicals branches about and many were berries, some 6 mm in diameter and in the wood added to their durability. ripped off. Its main branches were filled with numerous tiny seeds, But against the climatic forces unyielding and defiant. However a mature, first turning from green to of nature the trees had little defence. orange and eventually red. Resident sudden change in the direction of They had done well to achieve their the wind tore off two large branches birds, singly and in flocks come to majestic form and full height of 25 to As feed on these berries, spreading the from high up. they came crashing 30 metres tall. First, one was struck seeds from where they next perch to down they took with them several and killed by lightning; soon after, propagate a new generation of trees. smaller branches. But the tree the second of these great trees was From further away, from islands to endured. killed. This tree was the last of the the south and from the swamps of The storm was a reminder of trio. the Peninsular and even from the the fragility of this grand tree. The coasts of Sumatra, flying foxes, the It became a focal point and a special branch still looked good, but largest of bats, drawn by some preferred site for posed it seemed impossible that such a mysterious signals, wing their way photographs, for picnics and even for great weight could remain supported nightly to feed on the berries of the filming. Children and adults alike at such an angle, and often with tembusu in the area, again helping to delight in frolicking on and around several visitors sitting astride. It was spread the species. its very special branches. Daily, decided prudent to place a strong locals and tourists alike, make a wooden prop at the far end. beeline for this tree, to admire to A century and a half have 1970-Present touch and to climb; thousands of passed, the tree has weathered the photographs have been taken. Even Over the decades the tembusu vagaries of climate, pests, and the the very rough bark has been worn tree continued to grow, first losing its demands of generations of visitors, smooth, adding to its character. conical juvenile shape and then its top is thinning, but it seems developing a large shaggy form with However, the ravages of the poised to entertain another delicate end branches where slender decades and of the passing of a generation. twigs often dangled two to three century and more, took their toll. metres long. Because its lower With age, parts of the lower trunk branches were not pruned, this tree became diseased. Starting perhaps was leafy to near the ground. Three from a little crack, decay-causing Dr Chin See Chung of its lowest branches grew almost fungi and bacteria, attacking Director/Singapore Botanic Gardens

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