Showing posts with label project-semakau-book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label project-semakau-book. Show all posts
13 June 2012
The Semakau Book is launched!
The second edition of the Habitats In Harmony was launched last week! And it's a gorgeous publication with stunning photos and lots of interesting information!
This edition includes lots of new photos and more information as well as 133 additions to the biodiversity checklist. Congratulations to Marcus Ng and Alica Tan and the Ink on Paper team for this great book!
29 October 2011
Papa fishes mouth brooding babies at Semakau
Cardinalfishes are mouth brooders. Usually it is papa fish who keeps eggs in his mouth until they hatch. This fish has a mouth bulging with eggs that seem about to hatch, see the little eyes!
We were back at Magnificent heaven on Pulau Semakau and also saw all kinds of other reef animals!
23 October 2011
Semakau at high tide, with hot spring?
The tide is super high! What am I doing at Pulau Semakau?! Without the distraction of marine life, I thought I should try to find the fabled hot spring (yet another attempt).
And also check up on some interesting rare plants found on the high shore.
01 October 2011
Evening at Semakau
A small team headed out to Pulau Semakau to check up on a wide range of issues. We had a most fruitful evening. We got seagrass work done, crabs looked at and saw a Gold-ringed cat snake!
As always, among the highlights of a trip to Semakau are the Knobbly sea stars (Protoreaster nodosus)!
28 August 2011
Another special sea star at Semakau!
It's raining, the tide's not very low but a small team headed out to Pulau Semakau for a quick look around.
I revisited the Api-api jambu that Brandon spotted in Jun 2011.
20 August 2011
Semakau Otter Overload!
Today, I managed a longer look at the otter at Pulau Semakau!
Thanks to Subaraj, who first spotted the otter on our recent trip, I decided to go back to the same spot to look for it. On that trip, I missed the otter by seconds!
'White patch' in Semakau mangroves: a closer look
I decided to have a closer look at the mysterious 'white patch' in the middle of Pulau Semakau's mangroves.
And was delighted to see several patches of Seashore bat lily (Tacca leontopetaloides)!
14 August 2011
Southern Semakau specials
Another glorious sunrise as a small team heads to clear abandoned driftnets at Pulau Semakau.
We arrive much earlier so we could also do a quick check of the shores.
09 August 2011
National Day at Semakau with otter!
A small team visit Pulau Semakau this National Day morning to explore the mangroves at high tide.
The white blossoms on red sepals of the Perepat tree (Sonneratia alba) celebrates our national colours everyday!
02 August 2011
Magnificent part of Semakau
There is a stretch of Pulau Semakau which has lots of Magnificent sea anemones!
This stretch of shore lies in front of the replanted mangroves on Pulau Semakau. The bright purple body columns of the Magnificent anemone dotted the shore in the early morning light.
18 February 2010
The Semakau Book featured in ECO Express magazine
The latest ECO Express magazine features the Semakau Book!
ECO Singapore was invited to the launch of "Habitats in Harmony: The Story of Semakau Landfill" which included an intertidal tour.
ECO Singapore was invited to the launch of "Habitats in Harmony: The Story of Semakau Landfill" which included an intertidal tour.
09 September 2009
The Semakau Book, finally!
I got my copy of the much-awaited Semakau Book! From the elegant hands of Alicia herself no less.
Here's some of my thoughts as I went through the Book.
Here's some of my thoughts as I went through the Book.
27 August 2009
Marcus and the Semakau Book on Razor TV
Marcus continues to work hard on Pulau Semakau long after the field trips for the book were over. Marcus not only wrote the book, but recently also conducted several field trips for journalists arranged by NEA.
Here's a great series of clips on Razor TV about one of Marcus' trip to Semakau encompassing many of our favourite marine life, as well as the key messages we strive to impart about our shores.
Andy (with backpack) helped out Marcus on this trip. We can see brief glimpses of him on the clips.
Bravo to Marcus and the Book Team for putting together a fantastic resource on Semakau!
Marcus was also interviewed by CNA Primetime Morning. Juanhui Jun Lin has the clip on her facebook.
I haven't got a copy of the book yet and will do a proper review when I do.
Here's a great series of clips on Razor TV about one of Marcus' trip to Semakau encompassing many of our favourite marine life, as well as the key messages we strive to impart about our shores.
Andy (with backpack) helped out Marcus on this trip. We can see brief glimpses of him on the clips.
Bravo to Marcus and the Book Team for putting together a fantastic resource on Semakau!Marcus was also interviewed by CNA Primetime Morning. Juanhui Jun Lin has the clip on her facebook.
I haven't got a copy of the book yet and will do a proper review when I do.
05 April 2009
Flowerful day at Pulau Semakau
Back on Pulau Semakau with the Butterfly Circle and Dragonfly teams! And I was given a list of wildflowers to photograph. Since I wasn't sure what the names referred to, I went crazy and took as many wildflowers as I could!
Coat buttons (Tridax procumbens) is a commonly seen plant. They belong to the daisy family, and each little 'button' is actually made up of many tiny flowers! These are packed in the centre of the large 'petals' which are actually bracts. The flowers turn into long seeds each with a fluffy parachute (called pappus). It is originally from the tropical Americas but has since made its way to many other places.
Purple-leaved button weed (Borreria laevicaulis) is another 'button'-like plant that is commonly seen. It too has its tiny flowers packed into heads. It belongs to the same family as coffee and Ixora plants.
Hairy spurge (Euphorbia hirta) also has tiny flowers packed in heads. This commonly seen plant belongs to the same Family as the Rubber tree and its sap contains a latex that is used in traditional medicine. The Chinese use the latex in cooling remedies, in Malaysia and Indonesia it is used to treat conjunctivitis and eye problems. It also has a reputation as a treatment for bronchitis and asthma. It was originally native to Central America.
Asystasia (Asystasia gagetica) is another commonly seen plant. The flowers apparently attract a lot of wasps which damage the blooms. The fruits are capsules that explode when ripe to disperse the seeds.
Common snakeweed (Stachytarpheta indica) is a pretty plant that is commonly seen in our wild places. The Malays use the leaves to rub on sprains and bruises, while the Indonesians include the leaves in treatment of dysentery.
Touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica) is a delight to children, who are greatly amused by the instant reaction of the leaves which fold up when touched. This habit of 'sleeping' leaves may have resulted in the traditional cure for insomniac children. The plant is included in a bath for the child or a small branch is placed under the child's pillow. The pretty pink flowers don't last very long especially on a hot day. The leaves are also used to treat swellings and wounds and ulcers.
Kangkong puteri (Neptunia natans) is a yellow flowered mimosa-looking plant. It is a water plant that grows in water and floats by means of a 'curious white tissue along the stems'. The young stems are eaten as a vegetable (hence the Malay name which means 'Princess kangkong'), and the plant is also used in traditional medicine. I notice the yellow 'flowers' have a huge bunch of what look like stamens hanging on the bottom.
Petai jawa (Leucaena leucocephala) is actually a small tree, and looks like a giant mimosa. Originally from tropical America, the fast-growing tree is often planted for firewood, as a shade tree and for its fruits, which are eaten as a vegetable. It is also used in reforestation in parts of Southeast Asia. Traditional cures include the leaves to treat poisonous bites and stings, the seeds to treat intestinal worms and in a remedy for diabetes.
This pretty yellow flowered plant that carpeted the ground, I am unable to find it's ID. 
This is probably Kachang batang (Macroptilium lathyroides), whose ID I stole off Federick Ho's excellent Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature blog. One of the petals of every flower appears to be twisted back. It has long skinny beans.
Love-in-a-mist (Passiflora foetida) is a commonly seen vine with pretty but stinky flowers. The fruit is an orange berry held in a basket of moss-like leaves. The berry contains many seeds in a milky pulp and are edible when ripe. But they may contain hydrocyanic acid so don't eat too many.
Kachang laut (Canavalia maritima) looks very much like Seashore morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) when both are not flowering as the leaves look very similar and they both creep on sea shores. But they are easy to tell apart from the flowers. The seeds are contained in pods and are edible only after processing as they can contain toxins. 
Another plant that carpets the shores in succulent branches and leaves is Gelang laut (Sesuvium portulacastrum). 'Gelang laut' means 'garland of the sea' and the long spreading creeping plant does look like a lovely sea shore garland, especially with the tiny pink flowers. Apparently, the flowers close at night or on a cloudy day. In some parts of the world, the succulent is fed to livestock and also eaten as a vegetable.
Despite the very dry theme of the day, I did manage to get my booties wet and have a look at some mangrove trees. So, in keeping with the flowery theme, I also had a closer look at their blooms.
These are the lovely flowers of Tengar (Ceriops tagal). The delicate white petals turn brown as they age.
And finally, I actually get to see a 'zipped' petal of the Bakau putih (Bruguiera cylindrica). I have been reading about how the stamens are 'enclosed in pairs in a pouched petal' and how the pouch explodes when triggered, dousing pollinators with pollen. I just couldn't figure out what was meant until I saw, today, how two of the petals of this flower were still zipped up! The tassels at the tips of the petals are probably the trigger. Wow, that sure is cool!
Even grasses have amazing flowers.
These plants are wind pollinated and thus dangle their bits in the breezes.
Some have prickly 'fruits' that stick to our pants legs and annoy and irritate when these get into sensitive spots.
And here's a closer look at what is probably some kind of sedge.
While the Butterfly guys found all kinds of butts, my only fluttery success was this large moth that suddenly fell out of a large bush onto the grasses infront of me.
It looks like a Lyssa zampa, the moth that sometimes occurs in large numbers everywhere in Singapore.
After a brief struggle in the grasses, it fluttered off into the bushes again.
I had lots of fun today, and although the day ended with lightning and rain and a choppy ride back on the boat, the cheery company and colourful encounters made for a wonderful day out.
References
Also drop by Federick Ho's excellent Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature blog for more about our wild flowers and the little animals that live among them.
Coat buttons (Tridax procumbens) is a commonly seen plant. They belong to the daisy family, and each little 'button' is actually made up of many tiny flowers! These are packed in the centre of the large 'petals' which are actually bracts. The flowers turn into long seeds each with a fluffy parachute (called pappus). It is originally from the tropical Americas but has since made its way to many other places.
Purple-leaved button weed (Borreria laevicaulis) is another 'button'-like plant that is commonly seen. It too has its tiny flowers packed into heads. It belongs to the same family as coffee and Ixora plants.
Hairy spurge (Euphorbia hirta) also has tiny flowers packed in heads. This commonly seen plant belongs to the same Family as the Rubber tree and its sap contains a latex that is used in traditional medicine. The Chinese use the latex in cooling remedies, in Malaysia and Indonesia it is used to treat conjunctivitis and eye problems. It also has a reputation as a treatment for bronchitis and asthma. It was originally native to Central America.
Asystasia (Asystasia gagetica) is another commonly seen plant. The flowers apparently attract a lot of wasps which damage the blooms. The fruits are capsules that explode when ripe to disperse the seeds.
Common snakeweed (Stachytarpheta indica) is a pretty plant that is commonly seen in our wild places. The Malays use the leaves to rub on sprains and bruises, while the Indonesians include the leaves in treatment of dysentery.
Touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica) is a delight to children, who are greatly amused by the instant reaction of the leaves which fold up when touched. This habit of 'sleeping' leaves may have resulted in the traditional cure for insomniac children. The plant is included in a bath for the child or a small branch is placed under the child's pillow. The pretty pink flowers don't last very long especially on a hot day. The leaves are also used to treat swellings and wounds and ulcers.
Kangkong puteri (Neptunia natans) is a yellow flowered mimosa-looking plant. It is a water plant that grows in water and floats by means of a 'curious white tissue along the stems'. The young stems are eaten as a vegetable (hence the Malay name which means 'Princess kangkong'), and the plant is also used in traditional medicine. I notice the yellow 'flowers' have a huge bunch of what look like stamens hanging on the bottom.
Petai jawa (Leucaena leucocephala) is actually a small tree, and looks like a giant mimosa. Originally from tropical America, the fast-growing tree is often planted for firewood, as a shade tree and for its fruits, which are eaten as a vegetable. It is also used in reforestation in parts of Southeast Asia. Traditional cures include the leaves to treat poisonous bites and stings, the seeds to treat intestinal worms and in a remedy for diabetes.
This pretty yellow flowered plant that carpeted the ground, I am unable to find it's ID. 
This is probably Kachang batang (Macroptilium lathyroides), whose ID I stole off Federick Ho's excellent Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature blog. One of the petals of every flower appears to be twisted back. It has long skinny beans.
Love-in-a-mist (Passiflora foetida) is a commonly seen vine with pretty but stinky flowers. The fruit is an orange berry held in a basket of moss-like leaves. The berry contains many seeds in a milky pulp and are edible when ripe. But they may contain hydrocyanic acid so don't eat too many.
Kachang laut (Canavalia maritima) looks very much like Seashore morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) when both are not flowering as the leaves look very similar and they both creep on sea shores. But they are easy to tell apart from the flowers. The seeds are contained in pods and are edible only after processing as they can contain toxins. 
Another plant that carpets the shores in succulent branches and leaves is Gelang laut (Sesuvium portulacastrum). 'Gelang laut' means 'garland of the sea' and the long spreading creeping plant does look like a lovely sea shore garland, especially with the tiny pink flowers. Apparently, the flowers close at night or on a cloudy day. In some parts of the world, the succulent is fed to livestock and also eaten as a vegetable.Despite the very dry theme of the day, I did manage to get my booties wet and have a look at some mangrove trees. So, in keeping with the flowery theme, I also had a closer look at their blooms.
These are the lovely flowers of Tengar (Ceriops tagal). The delicate white petals turn brown as they age.
And finally, I actually get to see a 'zipped' petal of the Bakau putih (Bruguiera cylindrica). I have been reading about how the stamens are 'enclosed in pairs in a pouched petal' and how the pouch explodes when triggered, dousing pollinators with pollen. I just couldn't figure out what was meant until I saw, today, how two of the petals of this flower were still zipped up! The tassels at the tips of the petals are probably the trigger. Wow, that sure is cool!Even grasses have amazing flowers.
These plants are wind pollinated and thus dangle their bits in the breezes.
Some have prickly 'fruits' that stick to our pants legs and annoy and irritate when these get into sensitive spots.
And here's a closer look at what is probably some kind of sedge.While the Butterfly guys found all kinds of butts, my only fluttery success was this large moth that suddenly fell out of a large bush onto the grasses infront of me.
It looks like a Lyssa zampa, the moth that sometimes occurs in large numbers everywhere in Singapore.
After a brief struggle in the grasses, it fluttered off into the bushes again.I had lots of fun today, and although the day ended with lightning and rain and a choppy ride back on the boat, the cheery company and colourful encounters made for a wonderful day out.
References
- Foo Toik Shiew, 1985. Guide to the Wildflowers of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 160 pp.
- Wee Yeow Chin. 1992. A Guide to Medicinal Plants. The Singapore Science Centre. 160pp
- Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan.1998, The Concise Flora of Singapore II: Monoctyledons Singapore University Press. 215 pp.
- Burkill, I. H., 1993. A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. 3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
- Tomlinson, P. B., 1986. The Botany of Mangroves. Cambridge University Press. USA. 419 pp.
Also drop by Federick Ho's excellent Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature blog for more about our wild flowers and the little animals that live among them.
A special shore tree on Semakau
At first I thought it was just another Sea almond tree, but taking a closer look, I think it might be Guettarda speciosa.
It was my first time seeing this endangered tree!
A spreading shrub or tree (4-10m tall), the leaves really do resemble those of the Sea almond (Terminalia catappa). Indeed, one of the Malay names for it is 'Ketapang pasir' or 'Sea almond of the shore'. But the large tubular flowers and the little round fruits clearly differentiates this tree.
The flowers are said to be fragrant and are said to be pollinated by moths as they open an hour after sunset and fall off the following morning. Indeed, many of the flowers were already doing just that.
But I saw a day-flying moth on a flower!
The fruits are round, green at first turning whitish or pinkish.
They have a hard stone with 4-6 cells, each containing one seed. It is believed that the buoyant fruits are dispersed by water.
The bark is used to treat dysentery as well as applied to wounds. The fragrant flowers were strung into garlands. The timber is used in Fiji for house blocks, although it is considered of little value elsewhere.
This tree is listed as 'Endangered' on the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. According to Hsuan Keng, it was found on sandy and rocky shores including Pulau Seletar (which is currently facing development). Giesen considers it a mangrove associate.
References
It was my first time seeing this endangered tree!A spreading shrub or tree (4-10m tall), the leaves really do resemble those of the Sea almond (Terminalia catappa). Indeed, one of the Malay names for it is 'Ketapang pasir' or 'Sea almond of the shore'. But the large tubular flowers and the little round fruits clearly differentiates this tree.
The flowers are said to be fragrant and are said to be pollinated by moths as they open an hour after sunset and fall off the following morning. Indeed, many of the flowers were already doing just that.
But I saw a day-flying moth on a flower!
The fruits are round, green at first turning whitish or pinkish.
They have a hard stone with 4-6 cells, each containing one seed. It is believed that the buoyant fruits are dispersed by water.The bark is used to treat dysentery as well as applied to wounds. The fragrant flowers were strung into garlands. The timber is used in Fiji for house blocks, although it is considered of little value elsewhere.
This tree is listed as 'Endangered' on the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. According to Hsuan Keng, it was found on sandy and rocky shores including Pulau Seletar (which is currently facing development). Giesen considers it a mangrove associate.
References
- Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan. 1990, The Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press. 222 pp.
- Davison, G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
- Giesen, Wim and Stephan Wulffraat, Max Zieren and Liesbeth Scholten. 2006. Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia (PDF online downloadable). RAP publication 2006/07 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok.
Checking up on the Avicennia marina at Semakau
Today, we had a look at the two large Api api jambu (Avicennia marina) trees, which are listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. There are not many mature trees of this species in Singapore.
These trees are about 2-3m tall, and when I last saw them in January, they were quite happy and healthy.
Today, both of them were in full bloom! Every branch seemed to bear flowers!
Here's a closer look at the typical bloom: larger flowers crowded at the tips, on squarish stems.
Some branches were already bearing fruits.
A closer look at the rounded fruits of this tree. 
Another feature of this special tree is the greenish bark and the very long skinny pneumatophores.
Alas, something seems to be affecting the leaves of both trees.
The young leaves were all curled up and twisted.
I don't know what's causing this and hope it doesn't affect the trees too badly.
These trees are about 2-3m tall, and when I last saw them in January, they were quite happy and healthy.
Today, both of them were in full bloom! Every branch seemed to bear flowers!
Here's a closer look at the typical bloom: larger flowers crowded at the tips, on squarish stems.
Some branches were already bearing fruits.
A closer look at the rounded fruits of this tree. 
Another feature of this special tree is the greenish bark and the very long skinny pneumatophores.Alas, something seems to be affecting the leaves of both trees.
The young leaves were all curled up and twisted.
I don't know what's causing this and hope it doesn't affect the trees too badly.
15 March 2009
What do the flowers of the Seashore pandan look like?
The large prickly Mengkuang or Seashore pandan is a familiar sight on our wild shores.
We often see the large pineapple-like fruits. But what do the flowers of this pandan look like? Today at Pulau Semakau, we found out!
The Seashore pandan has a spiral of long leaves armed with wicked thorns. Usually forming an impenetrable thicket at ground level, it sometimes grows into a small tree, often with stilt roots around the central trunk.
The egg-shaped compound fruit looks like a pineapple. Turning from green to bright orange as the fruits ripen, the compound fruit disintegrates into individual fruits that can remain alive for a long time as they float in the sea.
But what do the flowers look like? As we were all remarking that we've never seen a Seashore pandan flower, Suay Hwee said, "Let's look for them!" And he proceed to find one in the plant right in front of us!
The male and female flowers are found on different plants. The male flowers form a pendulous ‘cone’ (25-60 cm) comprising many small flowers.
Around the male flowers are yellow-white leaflets that produce a pleasant smell.
The female flowers have been described as "compact greenish heads with pistils densely crowded with colored scales."
I saw this some time ago on Kusu Island and thought it was a fruit. It was rather small and the fruits were not so well developed. Could it be a female flower, or a young compound fruit? Hmmm ... it's amazing that there's still so much to learn about even common sea shore plants.
According to Little, the male and female plants have vastly different structures. Trunks of male trees are hard and solid throughout. The timber is yellow, strong and difficult to split. Trunks of female trees have a hard outer part, but soft inner pith. In fact, the trunks of female trees have used as water pipes after removal of the pith.
According to Burkill, the Seashore pandan is widely cultivated for various purposes. Each cultivated variety is different depending on the purpose, e.g., for making mats, for the fruits and so on. Up to 28 varieties of this plant have been described!
The leaves are widely used to make matting and bags in Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific islands to Hawaii. To prepare the leaves for weaving into mats, they are first split down the midle to remove the spiny midrib, then cut into strips by dragging them over a board with brass spikes in it. The strips are softened by pulling them over a bamboo and pounding them with a pestle, then soaking them for three days with changes in water. The strips are then bleached in the sun before they are woven into mats, cords, sugar bags, hats and in the past, even boat sails.
Seashore pandan is still used to create many modern items used today!
The sweet smelling male flowers were used by women in their hair or to prepare scented oils. Medicinal uses include using the young leaves as an antidote for poisoning.
According to Hsuan Keng, the Seashore pandan was common along sandy shores in many parts of Singapore. According to Giesen, it is probably the most widespread Pandanus species as it is also widely cultivated. It is found on all tropical shores and throughout Southeast Asia. Its proper scientific name is Pandanus tectorius, although the old name P. odoratissimus is an accepted synonym. Another common name for it was "Screw pine" apparently for the way its leaves are arranged in a spiral and the evergreen leaves. I think Seashore pandan is a nicer common name.
References
We often see the large pineapple-like fruits. But what do the flowers of this pandan look like? Today at Pulau Semakau, we found out!
The Seashore pandan has a spiral of long leaves armed with wicked thorns. Usually forming an impenetrable thicket at ground level, it sometimes grows into a small tree, often with stilt roots around the central trunk.
The egg-shaped compound fruit looks like a pineapple. Turning from green to bright orange as the fruits ripen, the compound fruit disintegrates into individual fruits that can remain alive for a long time as they float in the sea.But what do the flowers look like? As we were all remarking that we've never seen a Seashore pandan flower, Suay Hwee said, "Let's look for them!" And he proceed to find one in the plant right in front of us!
The male and female flowers are found on different plants. The male flowers form a pendulous ‘cone’ (25-60 cm) comprising many small flowers.
Around the male flowers are yellow-white leaflets that produce a pleasant smell.The female flowers have been described as "compact greenish heads with pistils densely crowded with colored scales."
I saw this some time ago on Kusu Island and thought it was a fruit. It was rather small and the fruits were not so well developed. Could it be a female flower, or a young compound fruit? Hmmm ... it's amazing that there's still so much to learn about even common sea shore plants.According to Little, the male and female plants have vastly different structures. Trunks of male trees are hard and solid throughout. The timber is yellow, strong and difficult to split. Trunks of female trees have a hard outer part, but soft inner pith. In fact, the trunks of female trees have used as water pipes after removal of the pith.
According to Burkill, the Seashore pandan is widely cultivated for various purposes. Each cultivated variety is different depending on the purpose, e.g., for making mats, for the fruits and so on. Up to 28 varieties of this plant have been described!
The leaves are widely used to make matting and bags in Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific islands to Hawaii. To prepare the leaves for weaving into mats, they are first split down the midle to remove the spiny midrib, then cut into strips by dragging them over a board with brass spikes in it. The strips are softened by pulling them over a bamboo and pounding them with a pestle, then soaking them for three days with changes in water. The strips are then bleached in the sun before they are woven into mats, cords, sugar bags, hats and in the past, even boat sails.
Seashore pandan is still used to create many modern items used today!The sweet smelling male flowers were used by women in their hair or to prepare scented oils. Medicinal uses include using the young leaves as an antidote for poisoning.
According to Hsuan Keng, the Seashore pandan was common along sandy shores in many parts of Singapore. According to Giesen, it is probably the most widespread Pandanus species as it is also widely cultivated. It is found on all tropical shores and throughout Southeast Asia. Its proper scientific name is Pandanus tectorius, although the old name P. odoratissimus is an accepted synonym. Another common name for it was "Screw pine" apparently for the way its leaves are arranged in a spiral and the evergreen leaves. I think Seashore pandan is a nicer common name.
References
- Giesen, Wim and Stephan Wulffraat, Max Zieren and Liesbeth Scholten. 2006. Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia (PDF online downloadable). RAP publication 2006/07 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok.
- Hala, screwpine (Pandanus tectorius) (PDF online downloadable) on the Common Forest Trees of Hawaii USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 679 Elbert L. Little Jr. and Roger G. Skolmen, 1989
- Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan.1998, The Concise Flora of Singapore II: Monoctyledons Singapore University Press. 215 pp.
- Burkill, I. H., 1993. A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. 3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
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