.~PARKS

I enw1se THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS VOLUME 31, JULY 2008 ISSN 0219- 1688 Gardenwise t""...... VOLUME 31, JU LY 2008

Message from the director Chin See Chung

ARTICLES: 3 Meandering through pandan peat swamp forest Paul Leong Serena Lee 6 Iridescence in the Gardens Thereis Choo 8 The Rain Forest Boardwalk -towards conserving a living legacy BenjaminAw 11 N ew records of Sphagnum moss in the lowland tropics Benito C.Tan 13 Exploring plant biodiversity on the Philippine island of Camiguin Mark Hughes Benito C.Tan jana Skornickova 15 Deception and seduction: the secret life of orchids TimWingYam

REGULAR FEATURES Around the Gardens 18 Screening of'An Inconvenient Truth' BenjaminAw 18 A dance musical BenjaminAw 19 First Asian Bryophyte Red List meeting held at SBG Benito C.Tan 20 A new volunteer t our Benjamin Aw 20 Volunteer tea reception BenjaminAw 21 Spices galore! Hassan Ibrahim

New & Exciting 22 St inking Beauty: Amorphophal/us paeonifolius Mark H ughes AungThame Notes from the Economic Garden 23 Sweet, sour, and remarkably useful! Marc Frank

Whats Blooming 24 The snake tree: Stereospermum (1mbriatum N ura Abdul Karim 25 T he buttercup tree: Cochlospermum religiosum N ura Abdul Karim 26 Calanthe rubens H ubert Kurzweil Ginger and its Allies 27 Scaphochlamys kunstleri - colours in the shade jana Skornickova From Education Outreach 28 Earth Day Special Programmes - a first time collaboration with W innie Wong the Green Volunteer Network Koh-Low N eok Chein 30 W hat is JBCG? Come and explore ... janice Yau Winnie Wong Dina Gallick From Taxonomy Corner 32 A specimen from Singapore returns Gust for a visit) George Staples

From the Orchid Species Collection 34 Flickingeria (1mbriata Hubert Kurzweil Book Review 35 Lycaste, Ida and Anguloa -The Essent ial Guide H ubert Kurzweil Beyond the Gardens Cover: 36 Sealing new collaborations j ana Skornickova The Rain Forest Boardwalk Mark Hughes Photo by Benjamin Aw Inside back cover Editors Key visitors to the Gardens BenjaminAw Chin See Chung Serena Lee Mark Hughes Back cover Kho Soo Pei From the Archives Production Managers Spices and medicines Hassan Ibrahim Christina Soh Mak Sin Chang Singapore Botanic Gardens, I Cluny Road, Singapore 259569 Design Splash Productions Pte Ltd NATIO NAL PARKS BOARD nparks_sbg_visi tor_services@nparks .gov.sg www.sbg.org.sg www.nparks.gov.sg Gardenwise

A one-way ring road going clockwise forms a human figure where plant displays w ill the perimeter of the National University be organized around ailments of various of Singapore's Bukit Timah campus, our parts of the body. The interpretation will immediate neighbour: The strip of land to be creative, educational and entertaining. the left of this road that reverted to the The stories that the plants can tell will aid Gardens was part of the Economic Garden in conveying the message that humans of the Botanic Gardens from 1879 to 1924 depend on plants. Even cultures and (see Gardenwise 30, pg 26-27). The land wars and the course of histories have currently includes six pre-war bungalows been dictated by plants. The garden w ill and Raffles Building , a former residential illustrate the importance of conservation college for students. The latter now houses and research and the importance of the operational and training divisions of species and diversity. It will be a rich ex-sit u the National Parks Board (NParks). It conservation collection of tropical plant s is physically linked to the rest of NParks w ith attributed healing properties. at the Visitor Centre premises rather inconveniently, via a short loop on a public This issue sees changes in the production road outside the Gardens. Obviously, team. Mark Hughes joins as editor while better connectivity at this entry precinct Christina Soh and Mak Sin Chang take with convenient pedestrian and vehicular over from Hassan Ibrahim as our new flow is needed. production managers. A new feature from our colleagues in education begins here. This extension to the Gardens offers We hope this will be a regular item for exciting possibilities for new plant displays children that w ill also be a useful guiding and landscapes. It must however be well tool for parents and teachers. integrated to the rest of the Gardens. There are plans for several new gardens This issue also has a slightly different look that will be implemented in phases. The and feel, and we hope our readers like first phase started in April 2008 and the design change. Gardenwise cont inues includes the redesign of the entry precinct. to attract good review, a testimony to It will be made more attractive and provide the continuing efforts of the production a better sense of entry to the Visitor team and the support of all our colleagues. Centre. An internal connection to Raffles While changes to design and content are Building will be built and garden walkways ongoing, we will ensure that it remains will provide pedestrians with safe, shaded relevant in communicating horticulture, and convenient access to both areas. botany, conservation and garden related t opics to general readers. It is a useful A healing garden in the extension behind medium for brief records of major changes Raffles Building is also part of the first that take place in the 149-year-old Gardens, phase. As its name implies, the garden and is a means for all in the Gardens and will be therapeutic and restful. Principles NParks to express and share their int erest of universal design in landscapes will be in hort iculture and plants. adopted and the garden will be friendly to all. To further create interest and identit y; its physical layout will take the form of Chin See Chung ~~

I

0 Meandering through pandan peat swamp forest

It was everywhere! Rising four metres We were the first guests to grace the above and one suspects, extending anot her spanking new field station, which was two to three metres below the dark, t ea delightfully nestled amongst the wilderness, coloured water, it flanked the waterway away from the maddening crowd.The well­ that we coursed through on a motorized deliberated facilities include 3 bedrooms, boat. Occasionally, the passageway could an attic, kitchen, dinning area and even be so narrow that we had to duck to avoid commercial septic tanks. An unexpected being brushed against the serrated leaf luxury in the middle of nowhere! margins.The problem was the ubiquitous pandan, Pandanus andersonii. It is the Knowing that peat swamp water is mildly dominant plant species that characterizes acidic, thus unlikely to have leeches, we the peat swamp forests along the had gleefully chucked out our leech socks tributaries of River Kemena that lead to during packing. Once our bags were set the field station where we stayed. down in the field station, we were all raring to go and explore, as this was going Our journey began when we flew into to be a very different experience from Bintulu on the 23rd March 2008. By the limestone areas we had previously early next morning, we had made our traversed in Sarawak. way to the Binyo-Penyilam area, a peat swamp forest that took us two hours to The morning air was crisp and the ground reach on board an 'Ekspress boat' along wet w ith dew when we set off each River Kemena followed by a 45 minute morning. Lunch was mostly eaten on the motorized long-boat ride meandering boat after a morning's collection, mainly through the pandan along the river's botanizing from the boat, stopping when tributaries (Sungai Penyilam). The one spotted plants of interest. Once purpose of the trip was to survey the though, we alighted the boat to trek Flora of the Binyo-Penyilam peat swamp landward, wading at times through chest forest through an MOU with Grand high black-tea coloured water and 'feeling' Perfect Sdn. Bhd. our partner for this our footing on non-visible bundled up tree occasion who provided the logistics for t run ks, which at low water level, would the trip. A lso with us on this trip were serve as a walkway but on this occasion, people from the Sarawak Herbarium. had submerged way below the water level

An occasional loud splash followed by an expletive would indicate that someone had lost his balance and fell into the dark water. 3 ARTICLE Gardenwise

The flora is rich in epiphytes, especially orchids, some of which were even epiphytic on the Pandanus andersonii. due to recent high rainfall. An occasional other tree species include those belonging will also send us a set of their collection loud splash followed by an expletive would to the genera Artocarpus, Gonystylus, duplicates, so both institutions will have a indicate that someone had lost his balance Memecylon, Barringtonia, Ficus, Syzygium reference set of specimens to help us fully and fell into the dark water. Mercifully, we and Dacrydium. Palm species were found understand the plant biodiversit y of this were too focused on the flora to ever mainly on the landward side which include rich forest. wonder what lurked beneath. We would rattans, Pinanga spp., Cyrtostachys renda and get back to the station at about 3pm Eugeissona uti/is; climber s and epiphytes We'd very much like to thank our hosts to photograph and press the plants till other than orchids include Aeschynanthus from Grand Perfect; Azizan for rushing the about 6pm, then took our bath and got spp., Medinilla spp., Myrmecodia sp ., construction of the field station for us and ready for dinner. The amazing Sarawakians Flagellaria indica, Uncaria sp., Ampelocissus for his kecap chilli appetizer which we all were multi-talented; multi-tasking as tree sp., Dischidia spp., Hoya spp., Huperzia sp. as enjoyed, and Joanes for coordinating the climbers, boat operators cum rowers as well as ferns such as Adiantum sp., Schizaea fantastic trip. We also wish to thank our well as excellent cooks! dichotoma, and Nephrolepis sp. colleagues from the Sarawak Herbarium; Shalih for his culinary expertise and T he high water level did have its We were split into two teams, w ith Malcom for processing the specimens. advantages - we could reach out and the Singapore Herbarium team being collect many plant specimens while on the focused mainly on epiphytes, climbers and boat, save a few occasions where tree­ shrubs while the team from the Sarawak climbing was needed.T he flora is rich in Herbarium focused on trees. In all, the epiphytes, especially orchids, some of which Singapore Herbarium team collected 87 were even epiphytic on the Pandanus fertile plant specimens and 27 packets of andersonii. There was a monopodia! orchid, bryophytes. A set of these specimens will Paul Leong Papilionanthe hookeriana, scrambling on be lodged in the Singapore Herbarium Serena Lee the Pandanus as weii.T here were several with a set of duplicates deposited in the Herbarium species of tall Dipterocarp trees in the Sarawak Herbarium, as well as in other peat swamp such as Vatica mangachapoi, Herbaria when there are further sets Photos by Paul Leong Dryobalanops rappa and Shorea seminis; available. The Sarawak Herbarium team unless otherwise stated.

5 ARTICLE

Growing under the bridge in the Evolution Shedding light on the matter. .. the 1970s was that iridescence was caused Garden are probably two of the most Since 1896, scientists have been intrigued by an optical, rather than chemical effect. understated and easily overlooked by this iridescent phenomenon and most It was noted that leaves of Selaginella botanical gems of the Gardens.These of the early studies were conducted on willdenowii lost their iridescence when plants stand out because their leaves are the very same Selaginella willdenowii. Initially allowed to wilt or were wetted with a dazzling metallic blue that shimmer in it was thought that t he iridescence was alcohol, suggesting that turgidity of cel ls the shade. Interestingly, the blue sheen caused by granules of reflective pigments had something to do with the mystery. disappears and the leaf appears a regular embedded in the plant's cuticle. However, In the mid 1970s, David Lee, one of green when viewed at a different angle. this theory was conclusively proved the world's leading authorities on how Grown en masse, they create an uplifting wrong in the 1970s and 80s as no such leaves interact with light, explained this mood with their play of colour in the pigments could be extracted using organic behaviour of colours using t he same optical dappled sun. Meet Selaginella willdenowii solvents and no pigment granules could be phenomenon that creates the oily sheen and Selaginella uncinata, two of the handful observed using light microscopy. on soap bubbles, or t he metallic sheen on of extraordinary plants that have a special dragonfly wings - thin-film interference. Put and unique ability - iridescence. The other prevailing school of thought in simply, this phenomenon works on the basis 6 Gardenwise

In 1978, Lee paired up with Charles the bottom of the forest is usually ver y Hebant and, with the aid of a transmission red-deficient. One theory about the benefit electron microscope, searched for the thin of iridescence is that it allows more of the layers that would be just the right thickness scarce red light to enter t he cells, whilst (71-80nm) t o reflect blue light in Se/aginel/a reflecting the unwanted blue light. However, willdenowii and S. uncinata.Wh at t hey more studies are needed to test this. Other found w as that the cell w all of the upper interesting morphological adaptations t o epidermis of these selaginellas contained low light in iridescent ferns and selaginellas not one, but two parallel t hin layers that include fewer but larger chloroplasts, and would intensify the reflected blue light. convex shaped upper epidermis cells which Since then, other iridescent fern species focus the available light to their chloroplasts. have been studied and similar thin layers Clear ly, these plants are well adapted to the have also been found in their epidermal cell stressful low-light conditions. walls -but these ferns don't have just 2 thin layers as in the selaginellas, but between Whether iridescence is a significant 18-30 thin layers. Interestingly, the iridescent adaptation to deep shade conditions filmy fern Trichomones elegons did not have or merely a spectacular by-product of any thin layers in its epidermis at all. Its t hin some other adaptation we know not layers were found in the chloroplasts itself of, it is certainly an interesting story that blends the science of physics and Why out-shine the rest? biology t ogether. So next t ime you pass Unfortunately. t here is no clear through the Evolution Garden, take a understanding on t he exact adaptive little time to examine this fascinating significance of iridescence in Se/aginella and optical phenomenon and appreciate the other shiny ferns such as Donoeo nodoso, complexity of these supposedly more Dioplozium tomentosum, Lindsoeo Iucido, 'primitive' lower plants. Terotophyllum rotundifolium and Trichomones elegons. But there are a few clues that can shed some light. Although the above mentioned iridescent plants may differ in the exact details of their thin layers, they all tend be found growing in the deep shade conditions of the forest floor, suggesting that iridescence is an adaptation to dark Thereis Chao environments. However, low light is only Living Collections part of the problem for bottom-dwellers. Photo by Mark Hughes For photosynthesis to t ake place, most plants require light at the red end of the This article was based upon the chapter: spectrum. With all the overhead veget ation Iridescent Ferns and their Shady Behavior in the 2004 book A Natural History monopolising most of the available red of Ferns by Robbin C. Moran. It con be light, what little light that actually reaches found in the Library. that light interacting with a very thin film A 8 reflects both off the top and the bottom of the thin layer. When the reflected light waves are in sync, that particular wavelength of light is intensified in a process called constructive interference. Conversely, light can also be cancelled out if the reflecting wavelengths are out of sync with each other in the opposite process called destructive interference . Lee suspected that iridescence in Seloginel/o The principle of thin-film inte rfere nce. Light waves are refl ected off the top and the bottom of the willdenowii was caused by a thin layer in the thin laye r (shaded in grey). In (A) constructive interference occurs as the reflected waves of light epidermis reflecting and intensifying the are in sync and reinforce each othe r. Iridescent Selaginello wWdenowii and Se/aginella uncinata have a 7 1-80 nm thin layer that causes constructive interference for blue wavelengths of light, but not for blue wavelengths of light more than any other visible wavelengths of light as in (B). Figure drawn by Vicnesvari Sengily other colour.

7

Gardenwise

Glimpses inside the Gardens' Rain Forest The Gardens' Rain Forest Regeneration of t he trees species is a However, despite In land-scarce Singapore, which has concern for us, as more than half of them a total land area of only 699km2 (or are represented by only one or two being an isolated 69,900 hectares), the Gardens is indeed individuals. T he rampant growth of the fortunate to be able to preserve a patch introduced climber Dioscorea sansibarensis fragment the Gardens' of rainforest covering an area of 6.2 (Dioscoreaceae) and others such as Smilax Rain Forest is home hectares within its compound. Since its setosa (Smilacaceae), and Ficus apiocarpa inception in 1859 in its present location, (Moraceae) may also bring down trees with to over 300 plant the Gardens has seen many changes and their weight. Falling trees can also cause new developments in its landscaping and problems by leaving gaps that prevent t he species, representing planting. However, the Rain Forest has regeneration o f primary forest species continued to stand firm throughout the requiring shade, high humidity and cooler about 15% of years and remains as a living legacy in the temperatures for germination. O ur rain Singapore's flora. very heart of the Gardens. forest remnant in the Gardens stands as a living experiment demonstrating the long Threats to the Rain Forest term effects of habitat fragmentation. With the progressive development of the Gardens, the Rain Forest gradually became The Boardwalk - to conserve more porous when Liane Road and paths and educate were built through it and it suffered a loss However. despite being an isolated in species diversity. Herbs and sh rubs were fragment the Gardens' Rain Forest is home the worst hit , as many live in deep shade to over 300 plant species, representing and high humidity. The fauna in the forest about 15% of Singapore's flora. About has also been affected. Rarely do we see 80% of these species are considered rare large snakes or the shy monitor lizards in or endangered, and thus our small patch the forest. What seem to thrive are the of jungle is still extremely valable in terms flighty squirrels, scurrying from tree to tree, of conserving biodiversity in Singapore, and the shr illing cicadas. serving as a seed source and gene pool. We are working towards giving it a long term This small size of this isolated forest makes future through replanting projects, installing the maintenance of a cool moist ground lightening conductors and removing level environment difficult as the patch aggressive weeds. has a relatively long edges, exposing the The Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, one of the rarer native birds of Singapore that can still be found in the forest to external environmental factors. Since the completion of the Boardwalk Gardens' Rain Forest

9 ARTICLE

in early February 2008, the Gardens' Rain Forest has been made accessible to the public again.To further facilitate awareness on this living legacy and educate the public on issues of forest ecology and conservation, a revised brochure is now available . We hope that visitors to the Gardens w ill explore our Rain Forest hidden in the heart of the city, and realise we all hold a collective responsibility for its future.

The Rain Forest, just like the rest of the Gardens, enjoys a steady stream of visitors through its paths and provides a valuable learning platform for forest ecology Guided walks are regularly organized by our Education Outreach unit or carried out by our volunteers. Through such tours, school children and visitors learn about the spiny rattan palms (used in making rattan furniture), the powerful grasp of the strangling fig, Ficus kerkhovenii and the majestic and tal l The Singapore Botanic jelutong (Dyera costulata, Apocynaceae), whose wood is used in the production of the simple pencil. With a steady flow of visitors into the forest on one hand and Rain· Come and explore our the need to protect the forest on the Rain Forest hidden in the heart of the city. Pick up other; a win-win solution had to be found. one of these new leaflets This is where the Boardwalk story begins. at the Visitor Centre or Fore~ Green Pavilion to guide you through and help Stretching a total of 492 metres, you identify some of its signature plants and trees. t he Boardwalk is made of glass fibre reinforced concrete, and raised above the ground. The Boardwalk replaced an existing concrete path that was manually removed to aid restoration, in total we expunged 289 m of concrete path, returning the land to the forest.

BenjaminAw Visitor Services

Photos by Lim Yao Hui unless otherwise stated

10

The anatomy of Sphagnum cuspidatum and the species in-situ in Sungei Kepayan Hulu (} Gardenwise

l'tod>pj>lles ' I ) ·' ;·Jt'k• ~. Exploring plant

Philippine island of Camiguin ~ jP

Research staff from the Gardens' herbarium endemic to Camiguin, which highlights the and the Li cea de Cagayan University in importance of conserving its biodiversity. During February Mindanao have commenced a collaborative There is no single place to go for 2008, the team project to undertake a botanical survey of information on the plants of Camiguin, so it Mt. Hibok-hibok on the Philippine island is at present extremely difficult to identify explored the rain of Camiguin.This venture is supported and monitor the status of the indigenous by a recently signed Memorandum flora of the island. Such information will forests of Camiguin of Understanding between our two also be of benefit to local government including a full ascent institutions, which confirms our intention who wish to encourage eco-tourism on to work together on the common goal of Camiguin. We hope that the collaborative of Mt. Hibok-hibok. understanding and conserving the plants of efforts between the Gardens and Licea the Philippines. de Cagayan University will provide the information necessary for the conservation Camiguin is a pear-shaped island province, of the islands plants. found to the north of mainland Mindanao in the Bohol Sea.The island boasts several During February 2008, the team explored volcanic peaks, with Mt. Hibok-hibok rising the rain forests of Camiguin including a full to 1250 m in alt itude. It is one of the most ascent of Mt. Hibok-hibok.The volcano was active peaks on the island, as evidenced last active in the late 1940's - early 1950's, by numerous steam vents and a hot with a series of eruptions culminating in spring. Despite the relatively young age of a large event in 1951 in which hundreds the island (ca. I million years) there are of people lost their lives. This eruption a number of plants and animals that are still has its mark on the vegetation of the mountain, which on the northern slopes is Many moss species were also found in the characterised by low-canopy forest largely wet forests, with an initial estimate of I 00 made up of pioneer trees and shrubs. The species representing approximately 50 understory at lower elevations contains genera. The Liceo de Cagayan University is many specimens of Medinilla multiflora, with starting a research herbarium, so pressed its striking blue and purple infructescences. specimens were collected of many of the Large stands of Alipina aquatica were flowering plants, ferns and mosses we also present, displaying clusters of red encountered. The specimens were collected berries. At higher elevations we found in newspaper and dried over electric stoves several Aeschynanthus species, including A. at Liceo University on mainland Mindanao, philippinensis.The summit vegetation was using a dryer specially made for the open heathland, and amongst the shrubs expedition. It consisted of only concrete there were two species of Rhododendron, blocks and chicken wire, but proved to one of which we have identified as R. be excellent for preparing herbarium quadrasianum and another tentatively as material. These specimens, represented R. javanicum ssp. schodenbergii. Exploring in both the Gardens' herbarium and at Mark Hughes other mountains on the island revealed Liceo de Cagayan University, will provide Benito C. Tan some interesting herbaceous plants, such as a permanent record of the plants of Jana Skornickova the orchid Spothoglottis plicoto, the balsam Camiguin and a reference point for t heir Herbarium Impatiens burkei and two Begonia species, identification, monitoring and conservation. Photos by )ana ~korn icko v6, B. acuminatissima and B. pseudo/otero/is. Mark Hughes and }any Berjes 14

Orchids pollinated by butterflies have large perfectly into the nectary of Angraecum believed that the female bees judge the and showy flowers, with their colours sesquipedale. After feeding, the moth pulls quality of the male bees by the fragrances ranging from bluish purple and green to its proboscis out and as it passes the tip of they collected prior to mating. red and orange. Some are scented, and the column, the pollinarium sticks to the usually nectar is offered as a reward. Nectar proboscis. When it visits the next flower One interesting example of euglossine bee guides and nectaries are present. the latter the pollinarium is caught in the stigma due pollination is found in the genus Coryanthes, being hidden in narrow tubes or spurs at to the narrow gap between stigma and also known as the "bucket orchids". This the back of the flower which can only be nectary entrance. genus is distributed from Mexico to Bolivia reached by the long tongue (proboscis) of and Brazil. A gland of the flower produces t he butterflies. Many flies visit dead animals or dung to a liquid which drips into the bucket and look for food. Flowers of some orchid fi lls it. The bee is attracted by t he smell Most moths are nocturnal, and as a species such as members of the genus of the liquid and lands on the rim of the consequence most orchid flowers which Bulbophyllum, emit a strong, unpleasant bucket and eventually fal ls into it. To save are pollinated by moths are white and odour. Attracted by the smell, the flies visit itself from drowning, the bee has to get out reflect the moonlight. They tend to open in the usually brown or orange flowers and through an opening situated just below the the evening, with large with tubular floral pollinate them. tip of the column. On its way out, the bee parts, emit strong sweet scent at night picks up the pollinarium from the column. or early morning and often offer nectar Bees can see wavelengths from 300 nm Attracted by a second flower; t he bee as reward. One interesting example is (UV) to 650 nm (orange). Since bees can repeats the process. Angraecum sesquipedale. It is a native to see UV light, the reflection patterns of Madagascar and produces a strong scent. bee pollinated flowers as seen by bees Another example is the pollination of The flower has a nectar tube of 25-30 em may look very different to that seen by species of Catasetum by the euglossine (I 0-12 in.) in length with only the distal a human. Orchids pollinated by bees are bee, Eu/aema cingu/ata.There are some end filled with nectar. When studying the usual ly colourful and scented, and often 160 species of the genus which occur species, Charles Darwin postulated that have ultraviolet nectar guides on their lip. from Mexico to tropical America, with there must be an as yet undiscovered moth Sometimes, nectar is offered as reward. t he majority in Brazii.The plants produce with a proboscis capable of extending to I I clustered, thick, cigar-shaped pseudobulbs. in. (28 em) that visits this flower; otherwise Pol li nation mechanisms are often very One unusual characteristic of Catasetum the orchid could never be pollinated.The complicated, such as in several genera of species is that they produce unisexual, postulated pollinator was discovered in neotropical orchids which are pollinated by fleshy flowers on different plants.The male 1903, some 41 years after Darwin's death. orchid bees (euglossine bees).These bees flowers are more colourful and showy The predicted pollinator was a hawk moth are characterized by their long tongues, and whereas the female flowers are usually now named Xanthopan morganii praedicta the males collect fragrances from objects yellowish-green.The flowers produce a (praedicta meaning predicted). It has an as such flowers, dead wood, etc. They store scent which attracts the male bees. Near appropriately long proboscis which fits the fragrances in their hind legs, and it is the tip of the column is a pair of antennae,

16 Gardenwise

which are under t ension. As the bee lands such as the calli on the lip, resemble the pollinate the next flower the bee visits. So on the lip of the flower to search for the elaiophores. When the bees visit the what do the pollinators get? The male bees scent compounds it touches the antennae, Oncidium trying to collect the non-existent hatch about two weeks before the females. causing the pollinarium to fly out and oil, they pollinate the flowers. Therefore female bees are initially scarce, stick to the bee's back. As it subsequently and as a result the males find it difficult to visits a female flower; the bee deposits the Wax or resin is collected and used by find a mate.The strategy of the bee seems pollinarium onto the stigma. female bees for nest construction. Flowers to be: " Hey, I w ill go for anything that looks of some Maxillaria and Cymbidium species like a female because I can't afford not to." In Cycnoches, after the bee lands on the produce structures that look like resin or flower it starts to scratch seeking scent wax on the surface of flowers.The bees There are always exceptions in nature. compounds while trying to hold onto the are attracted to the flowers and when In order to colonise a new location where lip which is hard and slippery. As the bee they try to collect the " rewards", the there are no pollinators, some orchid slips and falls, its body touches the tip of the flowers are pollinated. species produce seeds by self-pollination. column where the pollinarium is located. For example, after t he end of the last As a resu lt, it picks up t he pollinarium on Finally, members of the terrestrial genus ice age in Europe ca. I 0,000 years ago its rear end. This process is repeated on Ophrys employ sexual deception as their (during which the United Kingdom was a visit to a female flower. The stigma is pollination mechanism. The genus is also largely covered in ice), Ophrys opifero notched and as the bee falls the pollinia known as "bee orchids" because their recolonised the UK from Europe but its are caught in the notch. They remain in the flowers resemble the furry bodies of bees. pollinator did not come with it. In common stigma because the weight of the bee plus They can be found in central to South w ith many orchids at the far north of the force generated by its fal ling is enough Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor; mostly their geographical distribution - where to break the adhesive bond between the around the Mediterranean. The Greek pollinators become scarce - it has only viscidium and the bee's rear end. name for the genus, "Ophrys" means survived by self pollination. According to "eyebrow" , it refers to the furry edges Dr Henry Oakeley, he has not observed Oncidium in their natural habitat in tropical of the lips of some species.The flowers this Ophrys doing anything except self America mimic flowers of the non- produce a scent (pheromone) which pollinate, the pollinia always fall out of orchid plant. Malphigia. Oils are produced resembles the one produced by the the pollen sac and curve round into the on the surface of Malphigio flowers by female insect, and this attracts male bees stigma. In continental Europe, the species is specialized glands known as elaiophores. from a long distance. As they get closer pollinated by bees. The oils are collected from the flowers to the plant they pick up on the visual by female anthophorid bees for feeding cue of the resemblance of the flower lip Yam Tim Wing their larvae. Many species of Oncidium do to the body of a female bee. When the Orchid Breeding and not offer an oil reward, but are thought male tries to copulate with the flowers Micropropagation to mimic Molphigia flowers that share the (pseudocopulation), the pollinarium sticks same habitat. Certain parts of the flower; to its head or abdomen and is ready to Photos by Yam Tim Wing unless otherwise stated 17 Screening of 'An Inconvenient Truth'

On 20 April, we hosted the public an accessible insight to the science behind screening of the film An Inconvenient climate change, the film also gives us a Truth in collaboration with Home Box greater understanding of the economics Office (HBO).The overwhelming demand and politics involved.The film ends with resulted in the two planned screenings a reminder that although the problem of becoming three. In al l, about 500 visitors climate change is caused by our lifestyle, the caught the film. solution also lies with us.

Presented by former USA Vice-President This film is an example of the outreach the AI Gore, this documentary highlights the Gardens is dedicated to on environmental important role we play as custodians of and conservation issues. the Earth. Its aim is to demonstrate that climate change is caused by human activity BenjaminAw and will have potentially catastrophic effects Visitor Services on our environment. As well as providing The award-winning documentary by AI Gore was screened three times at the Gardens on the 20th April

The Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage played host to 'Love & Destiny', a dance musical organized by the Chinese Cuttural Festival committee on Saturday 22 March. The Guest of Honour Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts graced the event with 800 audience in attendance despite the wet weather: The performance was the grand finale to t he week long Chinese Cultural Festival 2008.

Written in 1958 by Chinese composers He Zhanbao and Chen Gang who graduated from t he Shanghai Conservatory of Music, this symbolic piece is brought to life again through the interpretation of Liang Zhu Violin Concerto or Butterfly LoversT M Violin Concerto. The dance displays the romance and emotion between the pair as they fight against feudalism for their love before transforming into butterflies to be together forever:

Produced, choreographed and conducted by Fan Dong Kai, Creative Director of People's Association, this dance musical is accompanied by other delightful groups such as Black Forest, Kym Rhythmic, juz-B and Chua Yi Fang.

BenjaminAw Visitor Services

Photos by Benjamin Aw

18 The First IUCN/IAB I nternational c Endangered Bryophy~nfe~enc~ Workshop on SiHL..,.J. ... -- ~ es m As1a ~~ <'!!,...-~ -,....-~ 0~ t;~ 2 8' '?d.- 02 ??tevt 2008'

First Asian Bryophyte Red List meeting held at SBG

The Gardens hosted an international called The Rapid list Programme recently taxa. The two lists will be circulated to conference cum workshop from 28 published by IUCN. other members of the lAB for feedback February to 2 March in 2008 to produce and additional comments before submitting the first Red List of endangered Asian The conference opened on Feb 29 with a it to IUCN for official recognition. bryophytes.This international meeting was half day seminar on selected topics dealing organized by the Gardens' Herbarium at with the problems encountered in the red­ The production of these lists marked the the request of IUCN (International Union listing of endangered bryophytes in Europe meeting as a landmark in t he progress for Conservation of Nature and Natural and japan, the uses of global databases and and development of Asian Bryology. It also Resources) and the lAB (International the newly developed rapid assessment highlights the increasingly important role Association of Bryologists). method in estimating the endangered played by the Gardens in the study and status of bryophytes.This was immediately documentation of moss diversity in the The meeting with the main theme,"Towards followed by two days of discussion to Asian region. the First Red List of Endangered Bryophytes formulate the first bryophyte Red List.. in East, South and Southeast Asia", was The meeting was partly funded by attended by 18 invited bryologists from The participants also found time for a tour the Botanical Gardens Conservation ten countries in Europe and Asia, namely of the National Orchid Garden and Cool International (BGCI),The Tan Chin Kee Sweden, Finland, Norway, Czech Republic, House in the Gardens. Both were praised Foundation and LadyYuen-Peng McNeice. Russia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Singapore and for their beautiful landscape, scientific the Philippines. The participants are either focus and rich display of plant diversity, the authorities of a group of bryophytes including many species of mosses. Later; a wor ldwide including Asia, or renowned visit to a supplier of ornamental aquarium taxonomists of Asian bryoflora. bryophytes also highlighted the commercial value of this group of plants. The goal of the conference was to assess and list species of endangered bryophytes In the end, two separate Red Lists of from East, South and South East Asia by endangered Asian bryophytes, the hepatics way of group discussion and by using the (liverworts and hornworts) and mosses, Benito C. Tan newly developed tool of rapid assessment were produced, each including some ISO Herbarium and Library 19 AROUND THE GARDENS

First offered in October 2007, the Edible and Medicinal Plant tour is gaining ground as one of the must-attend tours conducted regularly by the volunteers of the Gardens. Held every first Saturday of the month at 9am & I Oam, each tour lasts for an hour, starting off from the Visitor Centre.

Featuring an array of spice and medicinal plants, the tour entices you to delve deeper into the wonders of plants such as: Syzygium aromaticum (clove, cengkeh), which was used traditionally by the Malay and Indonesian community to relieve toothache as well as to act as a breath freshener; Myristica fragans (nutmeg. pokok pala), used for the treatment of boils as well as to relieve rheumatism; the culinary herb Cymbopogon dtratus (lemon grass, serai), the sensitive plant M1mosa pudica (touch­ me-not. pokok malu-malu) and Zingiber offtdnale (ginger, halia).

Visit www.sbg.org.sg (Calendar of Events) for more information on our regular tours.

BenjaminAw Visztor Servzces

Volunteer tea reception

Passion. Spirit. Fellowship. These are traits to Full Bloom' is a small gesture from us ofthe 343 Singapore Botanic Garden's compared to their love for the Gardens. volunteers who conduct weekly tours Presented during their annual Volunteer Tea such as the Rainforest, National Orchid Reception, this short book encapsulates Garden, Evolution and the new Edible & their endeavours since the inception of Medicinal plant tours. How do they juggle the volunteer programme. Keith Hiller, our their work, fam ily and personal time, yet Volunteer Coordinator, recalls starting the fi nd time for volunteering? t raining programme in 200 I with only a handful of guides. This group has now The answer lies in their passion and respect grown to 3 I trained Rain Forest guides for nature coupled w ith their desire to with another 25 in the moulding. educate visitors on how we play a part in conservation. Fueling their spirit is a sense This spirit of volunteerism demands a of satisfaction knowing their knowledge salute. For those who have been pondering inspires their visitors. For example, Kon about a calling from Mother N ature, wait Kee Meng. a retired Singaporean, joined to no longer. For information on joining us as a learn new stories about plant life to share volunteer. please contact Visitor Services at them with other people. He has been 647 1 7 138. We hope to see you! volunteering regularly for 3 different tours held weekly in the Gardens since 2004. The souvenir book dedicated to SBG's passionate Volunteers

Acknowledging our volunteers efforts BenjaminAw through a souvenir book titled 'From Seed Visitor Services 20 Gardenwise

Spices galore!

It is of no doubt that spices play an In conjunction with the poster exhibition, important role in our lives- be it for the Library also included from its own culinary use or for their medicinal collection a display of rare books, properties. The cultivation of spices in herbarium specimens and botanical Singapore has long been intertwined w ith drawings, all linked to the theme of spices. the development of the country since Raffles founded modern Singapore in 1819. To enrich the exhibition, dried spices were He immediately established a Botanical and also put on display, allowing visitors to the Experimental Garden for the cultivation Library to learn about the common and of popular spice crops like cinnamon not so common spices used in our region. (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lauraceae), Many modern, high-rise city dwellers have nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, Myristicaceae), certainly not seen what processed gambier gambier (Uncaria gambier, Rubiaceae) and looks like, let alone be aware of what betel Clove (Syzygium aromaticum, Myrtaceae). chewing is all about. Certainly many are Spices and their trade were a major aware of the use of tamarind (Tamarindus considerat ion in the tussle for the control indicus, Leguminosae) as a souring agent of South East Asia between the colonial in many Asian dishes. However, many are powers in those days. surprised to discover alternatives like the asam gelugor, a relative of the mangosteen, The Gardens had an opportunity to or the asam paya (Eieiodoxa conferta, learn more about this trade through an Palmae).The latter, from the peat-swamp exhibition in the Library. It was brought forests in the region, is however not to the Gardens as part of a travelling commonly available in the market. exhibition from t he National Archives of Singapore. Entitled "Spice Frontier: Hassan Ibrahim Changing Boundaries, Evolving Uses", the Library exhibition spanned over the period 16 Photos taken by jassy Phua April to 15 May 2008.

21 During late May, a specimen of a fleshy purplish skirt called the spathe. Amorphophallus paeonifolius came into T he male and female flowers are located flower at t he Gardens, and was placed on t he spadix; male at the top and the on display in the Green Pavilion. Also female below. Our specimen lived up to known as the Elephant Foot Yam, the other its common names by producing a rotten common names for this plant give some fish smell which attracted carrion flies, idea of the of the foul-smelling nature of its the pollinators of this species.The rather inflorescence: Corpse Flower; Devils Tongue macabre display only lasted a few days, after and Voodoo Lily. Our specimen arrived as which the flower w ilted and lost its smell. a small corm received from Xishuangbanna T his is t he second time this particular corm Tropical Botanic Garden in 1998. After has flowered, and it will now rest to rebuild growing slowly at first, the now-sizeable its strength before luring more fl ies to the corm eventually flowered whilst sitting in Gardens in a few years time. a container 4 feet square and 2 feet deep, Mark Hughes after being fed on liberal quantities of If you have space at home (and tolerant Herbarium fertilizer and chicken dung. neighbours!) you can try growing this plant yourself, as the large and starchy edible AungThame The inflorescence reached about 40 em corms can often be found in the vegetable Living Collections in height. It consisted of a spadix with a shops of Little India. dark blackish violet distorted apex and Photo by Aung Thome

22 NOTES FROM THE ECONOMIC GARDEN Gardenwise

Sweet, sour, and remarkably useful!

Tamarindus, commonly known as tamarind cultivars have been selected for sweeter (English), asam jawa (Malay), luo wang zi flavor. The fruit is a ubiquitous ingredient or suan-jiao (Mandarin Pinyin), and ambli in the cuisine of many tropical nations in (Hindi and Bengali), is a monotypic genus in both the Old World and the New World. the Fabaceae (legume family). It is thought The seeds may be consumed after being to have originated in tropical Africa and boiled or roasted. They are also ground Madagascar and was introduced to Asia into flour, used as beads, and yield pectin in ancient times. Tamarind is so widely used in processing foods and textiles. An o il cultivated and naturalized on the Indian extracted from the seeds may be used for subcontinent that it is often incorrectly cooking, lamp fuel, and varnish. The foliage reported as native to India. The binomial is used as forage, food for silkworms, and attributed to this plant by Linnaeus in a source of red dye. The f lowers yield a 1753, Tamarindus indica, reinforces this yellow dye. The hard, heavy heartwood is misconception. The generic name is a regarded as an excellent fuel and charcoal, Latinized form of the Arabic name "tamar­ and it is also used in furniture, turnery, and u'I-Hind", meaning "Indian date". The implements. The bark is used for tanning epithet literally means "of India" but has and its extracts are used in fixing dyes and also been applied to plants originating from making ink. The bark, leaves, flowers, fruit , the East Indies. and seeds are used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments including asthma, Tamarind is a slow growing, semi-deciduous boils, conjunctivitis, constipation, coughs, to evergreen tree 15-30 m in height with diabetes, dysentery, fever, hemorrhoids, a broad domed crown. The leaves are inflammation, jaundice, rashes, rheumatism, pinnately compound with I 0-18 pairs of scurvy, sores, and wounds. Pharmacologic subsessile, oblong leaflets up to 2.5 em laboratory analyses have isolated a number long. The small (I em) flowers, borne in of antioxidant nutrients (flavonoids and pendant racemes, consist of 4 pale yellow other phenolic compounds) from tamarind to pink sepals and 3 unequal yellow petals pulp. In vitro studies have confirmed its with pinkish to reddish-brown veins and ant imicrobial properties, and in animal crisped margins (2 additional petals are studies it has proven effective in lowering reduced to inconspicuous bristles). The blood sugar and serum cholesterol levels. fruit are reddish- to grayish-brown, curved, The polysaccharide in tamarind seed has a oblong, indehiscent pods (usually 5- 12 unique structure that makes it particularly em in length) with a thin, brittle pericarp useful in various pharmaceutical applications. (outer covering) and a sticky, brown pulp surrounding 1-8 hard, shiny black seeds. At the Gardens, tamarind trees can be seen in the Economic Garden; a dozen trees This is one of the most widely cultivated encircle the Spice Garden at the south and valued tree species in the tropics. In side of Eco Lake. Tamarind fruit are readily addition to being an exceptional, drought available in local markets, and its distinctive tolerant ornamental and shade tree, the flavor can be enjoyed at any number of young leaves, flowers, and fruit are edible. local eateries. Rich in vitamins B and C. as well as iron and calcium, the fruit pulp is consumed fresh and used as an ingredient in beverages, preserves, curries, chutney. ice cream, Marc Frank candies, chewing gum, and condiments Living Collections The leaves, inflorescence, flowers such as Worcestershire, Angostura Bitters, and fruits of Tamarindus indica and barbecue sauce. The pulp tastes both Photos by Mark Fronk acididsour and slightly sweet. though some 23 Recently, a handsome tall tree carpeted a tissue-like corollas spin down gracefully portion of Lawn B with it s delicate frilly like snow-flakes to cover the ground.The pale blossoms. The tree is Stereospermum subsequent fruits are long narrow pods, 37- (lmbriatum (Family: Bignoniaceae), locally 75 x 1.25 em, twisted and hanging in loose known in Malay as chachah or in English as coils looking very much like snakes, hence the snake tree. The hot dry days and cooler the common name. nights had triggered this old tree to bloom profusely and shed its flowers continuously The snake tree was used as an ornament al for a few days; the resulting natural carpet wayside tree in Singapore in the 1960s, of blooms was breathtaking. Records but over the years it has lost favour and showed that this tree originated from the can hardly be found along the roads today. old Singapore Municipal Nursery and was However, it was a useful plant in traditional planted in the Gardens in November 1937. Malay medicine. The leaves were used to treat ear-ache, itchiness and scabies and The generic name, Stereospermum, a decoction of the roots was given as a describes the hard winged seeds and protective medicine after childbirth. comes from the Greek words, 'stereos' meaning hard or solid and 'sperma' meaning Keep an eye out for the snake tree and seed.The specific name (lmbriatum refers hopefully you can catch her again in all her Top: to the fringed petals. splendour next time she sheds her delicate Mother nature's floral carpet of pink snake tree blooms. flowers to the ground. The tree is native to Indochina and the Middle: Dangling in the air, the snake-like pods of the Malay Peninsula. The flowers appear on Stereospermum fimbriatum. bare branches after leaf drop.Th e showy Bottom: pale pink corollas are trumpet-like, about 5 Close-up of the delicate frilly Stereospermum - 7 em wide with 5 fringed lobes, and are Nura Abdul Karim fimbriatum flowers. (Photo: Nura A. Karim) borne on loose terminal or lateral clusters. Living Collections They open late in the evening and last t ill Photos by Koh Sin Lon the following morning when the delicate unless otherwise stated.

24 Gardenwise

The buttercup tree: Coch/ospermum religiosum

Over in the Economic Garden by the sepals and petals, many free yellow stamens bamboo collection, there is a group and a slightly curved style.The fruit of the of small trees with striking rich yellow buttercup tree is large, up to I 0 em long, flowers hanging on their bare branches. pear-shaped, smooth and velvety. When This is Coch/ospermum religiosum (family: ripe, the fruit capsule turns from light green Cochlospermaceae), commonly known as to brown and splits open to show coiled the buttercup tree or yellow silk cotton brown seeds that resemble tiny snails tree. The buttercup tree is a native of India covered in long silky hairs. and Myanmar. The genus, Coch/ospermum, is derived from the Greek 'koch/os' meaning The buttercup tree yields a gum called snail shell and 'spermo' meaning seed, katira that is insoluble in water but swells referring to the appearance of the seeds. in it, and mixed with gum-arabic gives a The species epithet, religiosum, refers to water-borne adhesive paste.The katira the religious association of the tree in its gum has been used in book-binding and native country, India. Its brilliant showy has some value in cigar, cosmetic and ice­ yellow buttercup-like flowers and the floss cream manufacture as well as in the textile around its seeds, reminiscent of the Kapok and pharmaceutical industries.The floss (Ceiba pentandra) seeds, allude to its English surrounding the seeds can be a substitute The immawre velvety pods of the buttercup tree. common names. for kapok seeds to stuff pillows and life-belts.

Although rather shapeless and untidy, this The tree's big cheerful yellow flowers small tree has great ornamental value will definitely brighten any gloomy day in because of its showy flowers that bloom the gardens. It is worthwhile to visit the throughout the year. The tree sheds Gardens early in the mornings to catch its leaves before the flowers appear in the flower carpets before the sweepers Nura Abdul Karim terminal bunches of I 0-15, which only and the winds sweep away the delicate Living Collections open one or two at a time. Each flower fallen beauties. Photos by Nura A Karim is bisexual, about 9 em wide, with 5 free

The buttercup tree in full bloom.

25 • WHAT'S BLOOMING

Calanthe rubens has pink, pale pink or rarely white flowers, frequently w ith a darker lip and column. Flowers measure 15- 25 mm across and are therefore comparatively large in the genus. They last for a few days and are borne in few­ flowered inflorescences on hairy st alks that are about 50 em long. Its lips are three-lobed with large spreading side­ lobes, and the midlobe is two-lobed in its upper part. C. rubens is found in lowland forest, on the edges of swamp forests and in rocky outcrops in rubber plantations in Peninsular Malaysia, southern and central Thailand and the Phi lippines. The first plants of this species were collected by C. Curtis in 1890 on the island of Langkawi (Peninsular Malaysia) -- the 'herbarium type specimen' which botanists use to fix the identity of a plant name is st ored here in the Herbarium at Singapore Botanic Gardens. The species was subsequently described by Henry Ridley, one of the former directors of the Gardens.

There are twenty species of Calanthe in Thailand, seven species belonging to subgenus Preptanthe while the remainder are evergreen and lack prominent pseudobulbs and belong to subgenus Ca/anthe.There are species that belong to basically Malaysian and Indonesian groups but which have their northern-most limits of distribution in southern Thailand (like A Colan the species from Thailand flowered eastwards as far as the Philippines and C. ceciliae, C. pulchra, C. angustifolia and C. for the first time recently at Singapore N ew Guinea. The large pseudobulbs speciosa) while most others have strong Botanic in the Gardens and could be found in this group also explain why the Indochinese, Himalayan or NE Asian positively identified as C. rubens.T his plants often grow on rocks which is a affinities. C. simplex is narrowly endemic species is of considerable interest here periodically dry habitat type, and one and is only found on the Doi Chiang in the Singapore Herbarium as the Thai species, C. vestita, is even predominantly Dao massif near Chiang Mai in northern species of the genus Co Ianthe are currently epiphytic (living on trees) and is therefore Thailand. Another noteworthy Thai under revision for the Flora ofThailand. even more exposed to periodical drought. Calanthe species is the widespread Both the growth on rocks and on trees is C. sylvatica that is found in nearly the Calanthe rubens belongs to a small group somewhat unusual in the genus Ca/anthe whole of Africa and Asia (in Asia perhaps of only eight Calanthe species which are where most species grow on the ground better known under it synonym botanically known as 'Calanthe subgenus (terrestrial). Species of Calanthe subgenus C. masuca).The most com men species in Preptanthe', characterised by prominent ~ Preptanthe have attractive and often large Thailand is the very variable C. triplicata, swollen water-storing pseudobulbs, flowers and are therefore quite popular in which also has a widespread dist ribution short-lived annual leaves and frequently cultivation. Plants are also not too difficult from Madagascar and the Seychelles hairy stems. The large pseudobulbs and to grow in a well-drained medium but through the whole of southern and south­ the annual leaves can be understood as in contrast to the evergreen calanthes, eastern Asia to Australia and the islands of adaptations to seasonally dry climates. require a definite resting period in the the Pacific Ocean. In fact this Calanthe group is mainly leafless state. Species in this group which distributed in countries which have rather are commonly found in cultivation are C. dry seasons, like Myanmar, Thailand and vestita, C. rubens and C. rosea together Hubert Kurzweil countries in Indochina; however, two with their hybrids and cultivars. Herbarium species in this group also range further Photo by Hubert Kurzweil 26

In celebration of Earth Day in April 2008, our participants, Grace first got their reused by other plants for their growth. two Earth Day Special Programmes were attention by highlighting interesting plants Knowing that plants do their bit to recycle conducted at the Children's Garden: a growing around the Children's Garden. was an important message to our young nature tour and a hands-on workshop. The Sensory Garden was one of the participants, emphasising that we also These were carried out in collaboration most popular features in the tour. Plants need to play our part to care for the with the Green Volunteer Network, for smell, touch, taste and sight drew environment by recycling. the volunteer arm of the Singapore much attention from our participants, Envi ronmental Councii.This collaboration who were even adventurous enough to Grace used the pond area in order has further strengthened our role in sample the herbs.They were also excited to highlight the message of water educating the public, especially our to see coffee plants and cocoa trees, and conservation.The children were excited on younger visitors, about the importance of fascinated to learn how their favourite seeing many lush water plants (e.g. cattails, appreciating our natural environment and drinks were made from them. water li lies, water lettuce and duckweeds) doing our part to protect it. and different kinds of water creatures Later in the tour Grace explained the (e.g. dragonflies and water skaters). Some Earth Day Special Tour important nutrient cycl ing process, where went on the floating platform, whi le others Green Volunteer Ms Grace Ang was dead plant parts are digested by bacteria, explored the water plants by feeling them the guide for this tour. To bring across fungi and other microorganisms in the soil, in the water tanks.What particularly drew the message of"caring for nature" to releasing nutrients which are subsequently our young participants' attention was 28 Grace's message about how we should Water bottles can also be recycled into Page 26: Green Volunteer. Ms Grace Ang, showing a water protect our water bodies so that these useful and cute little piggy banks.They plant, cattail, to young participants and parents on the beautiful water plants and animals will were painted for the body and four Floating Platform. not be harmed. small branches glued on to form the four Top left legs. Drawing in eyes and a tiny mouth Young participants with their parents leaming about It was a simple one-hour walk around the how plants recycle nutrients during the Earth Day together with cutting a slot for inserting Special Tour at the Children's Garden. Children's Garden on a Saturday morning, coins completed the piggy bank. but to t he chi ldren, it was an educational Top right: A young artist in the Earth Day Special W orkshop experience for them regarding the Participants also learned to reuse plastic creating his piggy bank by adding colours to his importance of protecting nature. It was containers as pots for their favourite plants. recycled wat er bottle. also useful to many of the parents who They not only learn to pot a plant but Bottom left attended, a "time well spent lesson on could also take it home with them. One Young participants with their parents exploring water plants during the Earth Day Special Tour at the conservation" according to one. young participant commented, "This is a Children's Garden. fu n workshop. Recycling is not hard at all!" Bottom right: Earth Day Special Workshop Carefully gluing small branches t o the recycled bottle In protecting our environment, actions We would like to t hank Grant Pereira for t he legs of the piggy bank. A young participant creating her art piece in the Earth Day Special speak louder than words. Led by Green and his Green Volunteers for their time Workshop. Volunteer Ms Ong Lay Keng, we took the and effort in making the programmes a opportunity to teach about conservation success.We hope the tour and workshop by using recycled materials to create have made a lasting impression on how interesting gifts. we can all do our part to care for our environment and use our precious Don't throw away old calendars and resources sustainably. magazines, but recycle them into beautiful Winnie Wong bookmarks and greeting cards.Together Koh - Low N eok Chein with dried pressed leaves and flowers, the Education participants created their own bookmarks and Mother's Day greeting cards. Photos by Koh - Low Neok Chein 29 FROM EDUCATION OUTREACH

What is JBCG? Come and explore ... Jacob Ballas Children's Garden UBCG) at the BukitTimah end ofthe Gardens is dedicated to all children of Singapore. It provides a place for them to play, explore and leave with happy memories. Developed along the theme "All Life On Earth Depends on Plants," it is a unique and interactive fun place where children up to 12 years of age can discover how plants provide their daily needs. Our dearest wish is that JBCG will stimulate a sense of wonder for plants in our young visitors, cultivating an appreciation for plants, nature and the environment.

To help your children make the best of their visit to the JBCG, bring along this worksheet and help them learn more about plants! Suitable for children aged 5 to 12. A copy can also be downloaded from the Singapore Botanic Gardens website : www.sbg.org.sg

Fascinating Facts !

0 Plants can make their own food. Yes, 0 What is the name of the process f) Can plants live in or on water? Some plants are Food Making Factories! What through which plants recycle nutrients? water plants have adapted to just this! These is their secret recipe? What ingredients do ______To do this, they plants have many ways to help them stay plants need? Plants take in ______need the help of decomposers and healthy afloat What are some of these adaptations? ______,a gas from the air, and release roots. Name 3 types of decomposers ______(another gas) back into the which help plants breakdown vegetation. ______, ------air: But in order to do this, ______and _ _ . Name 3 types of water plants which and are also needed. This ______. Once nutrients are can be found at the Pond. ______process called can broken down, plants can re-absorb them only happen with a green pigment called through their roots. Plants recycle! Do you? present. All four Still have time to spare? ingredients must be present ; even if one is missing, the food making process in plants 0 Rain Forests cover only 6% to 7% of Don't miss checking out the : cannot go on. Earth's land surface. Yet, they house what • Maze percentage of the plant and animal species • Suspension Bridge on Earth? . What are • Secret Cave 0 You have five very special senses. You the many everyday things that originate from • Tree House can find three of them on your face. What Rain Forests? Name them. ____ _, are they? Here are some clues : You use ______and ______your eyes for , your nose Need a reference ? Here are answers to the worksheet : for and your tongue for ______. The other two are : your I) carbon dioxide, oxygen, sunlight, water, ears for and your fingers G Singapore's incidence of thunderstorms photosynthesis, chlorophyll 2) Sight, Smell, Taste, Sound/ Hearing, Touch or hands for . With all your and lightning is one of the highest in the 3) epiphytes, upon, plant. ferns. bromeliads. orchids special senses, explore the Sensory Garden. world! This giant tree was struck by lightning 4) nutrient cycling, bacteria, fungi, creepy crawlies in 2002. Its trunk has since been conserved 5) more than SO%. foods. medicines. building and moved to JBCG in 2007. What is the materials 6) Pometia pinna!a, buttress Some plants live in luxury penthouses! name of this giant? ______8 7) swollen spongy stems of water hyacinth. fiat They do this by growing on other plants. Around this giant I 00-year-old tree trunk are and large leaves of waterlily. hairy surface of Their aim is to get plenty of light! These parts of large roots from othertrees.What is water lettuce leaves. {Choose 3 from this list plants are called . The the name given to this type of support roots? :cattail, water fern. water banana. duckweed, subwords from which this Greek word hydrilla, papyrus) comes from are epi- which in Greek means _ ____ and, phyton which in Greek means . Study the plants found Janice Yau here. Name 3 of them. ______, Winnie Wong and Education

Dina Gallick Living Collections

30 Explore JBCG to help you colour in these pictures

At the Pond - water plants & the f loating pl atform

Plant are }bod }1aking }'actories! Plants recycle! Do you~?

31 A specimen from Singapore returns (just for a visi~

the Keeper of the Gardens' Herbarium to the Keeper of the Herbarium at the Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique de Ia Ville de Geneve, in Switzerland. Such loans have been integral to taxonomic research for centuries and are still widely practiced today, though they are now

/x,J, more regulated than in the past, when a handshake was all it took to borrow A close up of the original lab.el, showing the collection date and specimens from a colleague's private herbarium.

In the course of botanical research activities say about Mr Eugene Langlasse: he was a The herbarium of the Gardens not only in the herbarium, it often happens that French horticulturist, birth date unknown, receives loans, it also makes them. At something unusual comes to light- an who traveled to French Indochina, the any given time there may be many loans interesting bit of history, for example.This Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and outstanding, as well as many loans from happened recently with a specimen loaned Singapore in 1894-1895. He stopped at other herbaria that are being stored here from a herbarium halfway round the world, Singapore twice, the first time for a few while they are studied. As this note is which shed light on the early botanical weeks in 1894, from about July I 0 until being written, we have about 60 loans exploration ofSingapore.Two herbarium August 17, and collected plants at several from foreign herbaria being studied by our specimens of Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) localities: Bukit Timah, Bukit Mandi, Chan researchers, from countries as diverse as had a locality on t he label, written in French, Chu Kang, as well as Kranji. After visiting Denmark (AAU Herbarium), New Guinea that looked very familiar: fon~t de Kranji. Borneo, he stopped at Singapore again (LAE Herbarium), Scot land (E Herbarium), These specimens were loaned from the from September 15th to the I 8th, I 894, The Netherlands (WAG & L Herbaria) etc. historic herbarium of the city of Geneva, before traveling on to the Philippines. Complementing t hese in-loans, there are Switzerland - how did specimens from Langlasse then returned to France for 145 loans of Gardens' specimens t hat have Singapore end up there? several years and later ventured to Mexico been sent out for study by taxonomists and Colombia, where he died of yellow elsewhere, to countries as far a field as Further investigation fever in 1900. Australia, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Spain, showed that the Taiwan, USA and more.Taxonomic research What makes this specimen, and the story has become a global enterprise and collections, by one E. behind it, intriguing is that Singapore's scientists around the wor ld depend upon Lang!asse, were indeed biological heritage is widely scattered loans of specimens to keep this enterprise around the globe. Over the course of moving forward. made in Kranji in I 894, hundreds of years, many scientists and plant which was still forested collectors have passed through Singapore So although Mr Langlasse lived in France and the specimens they gathered are now and died in Colombia, his specimens, at that time. housed in herbaria and museums all over collected in Singapore and Southeast Asia, These specimens are mounted in three the world. Langlasse was not the first, can be studied by botanists anywhere, separate folders in the style distinctive to nor even one of the earliest to collect either by visiting t he beautiful city of the Geneva herbarium, which uses straight Singapore plants-we know that Archibald Geneva, or by requesting a loan t hrough pins to attach the dried plant on the Menzies, a Scotsman, collected some scientific channels. Once this particular mounting paper, rather than glue or linen bryophytes during a stop in Singapore as specimen has been studied it will be sent tape (see photo). early as 1789-more than a hundred years back to Geneva, a tiny piece of Singaporean before Langlasse visited the island. biodiversity that is stored safely away in a Who was E. Langlasse and why was he in far corner of the world. Singapore? The Cyclopedia of Collectors The other thing remarkable about the for the Flora Malesian a series is an specimen is that it has come back to excellent resource for finding out about Singapore, where it was collected more George Staples anyone who has ever collected plants in than a century ago, for scientific study. Serena Lee Southeast Asia. The Cyclopedia had this to And all it required was a request from Herbarium 32 . . from the Geneva Herbarium

33 FROM THE ORCHID SPECIES COLLECTION

from the Eastern Himalayas through the whole of South-east Asia as far eastwards as the Lesser Sunda Islands and as far southwards as Sumatra and java. It s flowers are comparatively large for the genus and can measure up to 35 mm across; but they are frequently smaller in some specimens that have the sepals curled back.T he flowers have yellow-cream sepals and petals with red or purple spots and a creamy white lip. Unlike many other species in the genus Flickingerio this lip is crisped and strongly wavy on the margin. Once there were seven different Flickingerio species found in Singapore, but sadly all of these are now extinct in the wild. The photograph of Flickingerio fimbrioto shown here is from a specimen in the Gardens' research collection.

The epiphytic genus Flickingerio is a relative of the well-known genus Dendrobium and was previously treated as its section Desmotrichum (for example by Eric Holttum in his book 'Orchids of Malaya', published in 1953). Flickingerio is a genus of about 75 species and is widespread in Asia and the Pacific Islands. The genus is characterised by branching stems that only root at their bases and by one­ leaved pseudobulbs.The frequently fragile flowers are borne singly or in groups of two in front of or behind the base of the leaf and last only for a few hours. Suitable habitats are lowland and montane forests, where the plants can sometimes be fai rly common. Due to the short-lived flowers Flickingerio is not very popular in cultivation.

Hubert Kurzw eil Herbarium

34 BOOK REVIEW Gardenwise

This book is a magnificent publication on In nearly 450 pages of t ext illustrated by conclude t he book. An appendix lists the three fascinating orchid genera from Latin about 2000 colour photographs every species that occur in particular countries. America. Despite their elegant flowers, aspect of this plant group is explained in Lycaste, Ida and Anguloa are not very det ai l, making the book equally valuable The author D r. Henry Oakeley was well-known here in South-east Asia w ith t o professional botanists, plant lovers and born in Singapore but moved to t he its abundance of other attractive orchids, orchid growers. Every single species is UK early in his life. A medical doctor by but the three genera are quite popular in comprehensively treated, w ith sections profession he has been growing lycastes, other parts of the world w here they are on nomenclature (the botanical naming), idas and anguloas for many decades and frequently seen in amateur collections as morphology, etymology, geographical has accumulat ed an expert knowledge well as in exhibitions. distribut ion, ecology (including pollination), on t hem. H is numerous articles in conservation, bibliography and, for the orchid- and other journals as well as his Lycastes, idas and anguloas occur from botanists, location of herbarium specimens. comprehensive book in 1993 (to which Mexico southwards through the whole Under each species there is also a section the present one is some kind of successor) of Central America as far as the South with historical not es, bot h on the discovery have helped to make Lycaste, Ida and American countries ofVenezuela, Colombia, of the species and its taxonomical histor y. Anguloa well-known in grower circles. Ecuador, Peru and north-western Brazil, A lso details of osmophores (=scent­ Henry has travelled widely, particularly in where they grow on the ground, on rocks glands) and the chemicals involved are South American countries. He is currently or on trees in forest or grassland from sometimes given which are important the president of the Orchid Society sea-level to 3600 m altitude in the Andes as the flowers of some of the species of Great Britain, as well as Honorary mountain range. Ida is also found on some are strongly fragrant. Appealing t o many Research A ssociate of the Royal Botanic Caribbean islands. Botanically speaking, growers w ill be the section on cultivation Gardens Kew (UK) and Honorary Lycaste, Ida (which was only very recently which covers everything from potting the Research Associate of the Singapore separated from the former) and Anguloa plants to pests and diseases; even advice Botanic Gardens. are a small group of closely related genera on preparing plants for exhibitions is given. and comprise a tot al of 79 species, 49 The book is amply illustrat ed by colour Writing a book of this quality and scope varieties and 22 natural hybrids.The plants photographs, most of them in a high is an outstanding achievement. and are often fairly tall and have large short­ quality rarely seen in publications of this Henry can be congratulated on his task. lived and pleated leaves borne on top kind. The largest number of photographs Particularly in a time of increased interest of prominent pseudobulbs. Flowers are illustrates flowering specimens in in our wild treasures but. sadly, at the usually solitary and quite showy; t hey are cultivation, flower details such as lip same time the sharp decline of our natural most commonly yellow, green, white, pink or column and the pollinia (pollinia are environment. a book of this scope is a or orange, and can measure up to I I em the pollen packets of the orchids; they most welcome addition to the existing across. Although waxy in texture and often have a stalk in this group of orchids). Of literature. As such it will be the standard also fairly long-lasting they are not suitably particular interest to anyone interested in reference book on the lycastes, idas and as cut-flowers as they bruise easily. While wild orchids will be the photographs which anguloas for long t ime to come. Lycaste and Ida have typical 'orchid-like' show the plants in their native habitat. flowers, Anguloa is unusual with its deeply There are also several colour paintings, cup-shaped or somewhat semi-globose and also the occasional line drawing is flowers which have earned it the common seen. A detailed list of synonyms, an Hubert Kurzw eil names 'tulip-orchid' and 'boat-orchid'. annotated bibliography as well as an index Herbarium 35 BEYOND THE GARDENS

The future of research in the Gardens has Malaysian institution for botanical research, Top left: Prof. Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper and Director been strengthened as three Memoranda have also been intertwined for a long time of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Dr. of Understanding (MOU) have been signed given our close historical ties and overlap Chin See Chung signing an agreement on research collaboration. recently. bringing new partnerships and in our local floras. At the moment, several connections.The MO U 's are with research of our researchers and herbarium staff Top right Dr. Chin See Chung and FRIM Director-General institutions in Europe (the Royal Botanic participate on the new Flora of Peninsular Datuk Dr. Abdul Razak Mohd Ali signing the MOU Garden Edinburgh) and in southeast Asia Malaysia project, and join with FRIM staff on between their two institutions. (Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) numerous exploration and collecting trips. Bottom: and the Liceo de Cagayan University in Staff of the SBG Herbarium visiting the President of the Philippines). It is hoped the connection with Liceo LDCU, Dr. Mariano M. Lerin. Left to right: Dr. Lesley Lubos (LDCU), Dr. Glory S. Magdale (LDCU), Dr. de Cagayan University (LDCU) will Benito Tan (SBG). Dr. Mariano M. Lerin (LDCU). Dr. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which allow botanists from Singapore and the jana Skomickova (SBG). Dr. Mark Hughes (SBG), Prof. Rosario Rubite (UPM), Dr. Genaro V. japos (LCU). was established in 1670, has a long history Philippines to undertake research and in exploring Asian plants. The research training related to the rich and threatened interests of RBGE encompasses the Philippine flora. To this end, there has studies of herbaceous groups like gingers already been a 2-week visit to Camiguin (Zingiberaceae), begonias (Begoniaceae), Island to carry out a survey of the plants gesneriads (Gesneriaceae), rhododendrons found on its volcanic peaks by a combined (Ericaceae), ferns and mosses as well team from the Herbarium and LCU as several woody families including Research Office. Sapotaceae and Dipterocarpaceae.This greatly complements our research interests The official signature of MOU's with and the MOU strengthens the ongoing these three institutions is thus a collaborations between researchers from welcomed seal on the intentions of two of the worlds great botanic gardens. all the parties to promote taxonomic research as contribution towards global Jana Skornickova The research of the Gardens and the Forest conservation efforts. Mark Hughes Research Institute of Malaysia, a leading Herbarium 36 Key visitors to the Gardens (January to June 2008)

Name From

Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Mohd Ali & delegation Director-General. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysia Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Dato' Ahmad Fuad Ismail Secretary General, Ministry of Housing & Local Government . Malaysia Ms Alison Moore Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. England, UK Ms Anisa Saeed Mohammed Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Dr Axel D Poulsen University Copenhagen. Scotland, UK Mr Brad Horan Manager Domain & Infrastructure, Royal Botanic Gardens Trusts, Australia Prof Cao Tong Shanghai Normal University. China Ms Chishio Hidaka National University of Singapore, Singapore Mr Chukiat Laongpol Prince Sonkla University. Thailand Dr Duong Due Huyen National Herbarium. Vietnam Dr Gemma Bramley Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. England. UK Dr Hiroyuki Akiyama Museum of Nature and Human Activities. Hyogo.Japan Mr Ho Boon Chuan Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat Bonn, Germany Dato' Ishak Bin Haji Ahmad & delegation Director Selangor Local Authority Institute delegation. Malaysia Ms lzlamira Roslan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Ms Jazreen Jaafar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Ms Kanjana Wongkuna Chiang Mai University. Thailand Prof Dr linVana Charles University, Prague. Czech Republic Ketsanee Seehamongkol President, Dokmai Gardens, Chiangmai, Thailand Dr Kit Pearce Sarawak, Malaysia Dr Kitichate Sridith Prince Sonkla University; Thailand Prof Dr Lars SOderstrom Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim, Norway Prof Mary Gibby Director of Science. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland. UK Dr Masanobu Higuchi National Museum of Nature and Science. T sukuba, Japan Assoc Prof Dr Nashriyah Mat Universiti Darullman Malaysia,Terengganu. Malaysia Ms Melanie P Medecilo De La Salle University; Dasmariiias, Philippines Dr Misha lgnatov Russian Primary Botanical Garden, Moscow. Russia Mr Mohamad Mazlan bin Ali & delegation Assistant Secretary. Pasir Gudang Local Authority; Johor. Malaysia Prof Dr Monica Suleiman Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.Malaysia Dr Monina T Uriarte and delegation Director. ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Dr Mutsuko Nakajima Kanagawa-ken.Japan Ms Nur Fatihah Universiti Darul lman Malaysia,Terengganu. Malaysia YM Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamdillah bin Haji Abdul Wahab & delegation Deputy Minister. Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources, Brunei Mr Panlumut Pattamvipiscitti Prince Sonkla University. Thailand Ms Phoon Sook Ngoh Forest Reseach Institute Malaysia, Malaysia Dr Razali Iaman Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Malaysia Dr Richard Saunders Hong Kong University, Republic of China Dr Rita Manurung & delegation COO. Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Malaysia Dr Rogier de Kok Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. England, UK Dr Ruth Kiew Forest Reseach Institute Malaysia, Malaysia Ms Salizatul Aida Ibrahim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia Dato' Seri Azahar Muda Director General, Forestry Department of Malaysia, Malaysia Mr Siddhartham Surreswaran Hong Kong University; Republic of China Prof Stephen Blackmore Regius Keeper; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Scotland, UK Her Excellency Tarja Halonen President of the Republic of Finland Dr Tatsuwo Furiki Natural History Museum. Chiba. Japan MrThamarat Phuttai Prince Sonkla University, Thailand ProfTomas Hallingback Swedish University of Agricultrual Sciences. Uppsala. Sweden MrWang Xianglin & delegation Vice Mayor ofYuyao City; People's Republic of China MrYong Kien Thai Rimba llmu, University of Malaya. Malaysia HEYuichiro Ito Governor Governor. Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan DrYvonne Su Hong Kong University. Republic of China Prof Dr Zen lwatsuki Hattori Botanical Laboratory; Okazaki, Japan Dr Zhang Li Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, China Prof Dr Zhu Rui-Liang East China Normal University; Shanghai, China ices , ,

The Library recenLi y h eld an exhib ition on the theme of spices within its walls (see article on page 21 ). The use of spice plants as medicinal herbs has been documented in publications for =~~{f~}~~~-~.:-7-:: :.--:::: ...... , ...... hundreds ofyears. On display --~------·----~-- ... dUJ·ing the exhibition were a few ------~~?1R~;.~l~~~ books from the Library's rare _...,._ .. -···---··--·--_.... - collection , two of which are: ..::.::..-:-__ '";:::-.::.:.:.: :.;:;..;.::_-::=:.=

\Jonand•·ian Plants of the O•·der Scitamineae, chiell) d1·awn f1·om ~i~lllf___ .. _ ..:::: ..... li' ing specimens in the Botanic -- .-~ ...... -­ Gm·dcn at Live•·pool.

This book, authored by W illiam Roscoe, provides a descr iption on a group of flowering plants, Scitamineae (now considered as part of the plant order Zingiberales). Plants under this order include the common turmeric, ginger and canna. As inscribed on the title page, the accompanying lithographic p lates, Lola ll ing over 100, were mostly based from I ive col lections that were kept in the Botanic Garden at L iverpool, England. Roscoe founded this botanic garden at the turn of the l9th century. This la rge woek, mcasu r ing 55 em x 4 2 em, was publis hed a round the mid to late 1820s.

\led iea I Hot any: con La ining of the Ma teria Medica (or Systematic and Ccn e nil medical material) of London and DC'scriptions, with Plates of all the l ~ dinburg h in 1790. Auth01·ed by \ledicinal Plants, comprehended Willi am Woodville, an English in the Catalog·ues or the i\lateria physician and botanist, it includes \ledica. a description of the medicinal effects and Lhc ailments for which This work in fou r volumes Lh e pla nts were employed. The Hassan Ibrahim contains desc•·iptions of med ic inal Lib•·a •·.y's copy is of the second Library plants listed in the catalogues edition, published in l810. Photos by )assy Phua