Plants in Tropical Cities - 14 Issue 1_LowRes_030314 to Edit - Upload

8/10/2019 Plants in Tropical Cities - 14 Issue 1_LowRes_030314 to Edit - Upload

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Uvaria grandifora

i n T r o p i c a l C i t i e s


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Boo Chih Minis passionate about plants! Shestudied botany at the National University of Singaporeand has a keen interest in native and exotic plants ofSingapore and the South-East Asian region. She haspreviously worked at the National Parks Board whereshe wrote the 1001 Garden Plants of Singapore whichgreatly improved accessibility of plant information to

many nurseries, researchers, schools, governmentalentities, and the general public. Her interests in theother aspect of plants, such as ecology, conservationand propagation has led to the set up of her currentcompany, Uvaria Tide, which specializes in providingprofessional services for oristic survey, plantselection, plant supply and science-based consultancyfor sustainable and ecologically-orientated multi-disciplinary projects: mangrove restoration, rainforestrestoration, vertical greenery, rooftop greenery,greening of waterways, oating wetlands and the useof native plants in urban landscapes and forested areas.

Email: [email protected]

Jean W. H. Yong (John)nds bio-inspirationin plant diversity and adaptations! He is an AssociateProfessor at the Singapore University of Technologyand Design and runs the Green Solutions Laboratory.John studied botany at the National University ofSingapore and later, biochemistry and physiology at the

Australian National University. He has written numerousscientic papers as well as several plant-science bookssuch as The Physiology of Orchids in relation to theIndustry and A Selection of Plants for Greening ofWaterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics that greatlyimproved the availability of tropical plant scienticinformation to researchers, institutions, and the plantindustry sectors.


Sharon Y. J. Chewgraduated from University ofQueensland (Applied Science, major in Plants). Prior to that,

she studied Horticulture and Landscape Management atNgee Ann Polytechnic. She has a keen interest in turfgrass

management. She has previously worked at the OrchidCountry Club, a golf club where she managed the entiregolf course and its associated landscaping needs. At theSingapore University of Technology and Design, Sharon

manages several environmental science research projectssuch as the cleansing of canal waters using a selection ofaquatic plants and developing the greening initiatives for

Jurong island.


Pellicieria rhizophorae (Tea Mangrove)


3/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities I

ISBN 978-981-08-8071-2

Copyright C. M. Boo, Sharon Y. J. Chew, Jean W. H. Yong, 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored inany retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of

the copyright owner.

Boo Chih Min

Sharon Y. J. ChewJean W. H. Yong

1stE d i t i o n

i n T r o p i c a l C i t i e s


4/76IIPLANTSin Tropical Cities

ContentAcknowledgements III

How to use this book? IV

Key to Icons VIPreface VIII

N 561

O 575

P 593

Q 681

R 683

S 705

T 785

U 831V 839

W 851

X 857

Y 865

Z 867

A 1

B 91

C 127

D 251

E 299

F 335

G 361

H 391I 427

J 447

K 457

L 469

M 507

Index to categories

Cycads 875

Palms 876

Ferns and Fern Allies 880

Climbers 884

Trees 894

Ground Covers 901

Hedges 908

Plants that Attract Butterfy 911

Plants that Attract Birds 917

Indoor Plants 922

Aquatic Plants 930Drought Tolerant Plants 936

Fragrant Plants 944

Seaside Plants 953

Roadside Plants 960

Plants for GreenRoof Planting

968

Plants for the Greening ofVertical Wall

971

Epiphytes 975Mangrove and Mangrove

Associates979

Hibiscus sp.


5/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities III

AcknowledgementsThis book was produced with the objective to enhance the levelof awareness and interest in tropical plant species amongst the

general public, as well as to raise the standard of horticultural and

landscaping industry in tropical cities to a greater height.

We would like to thank the following colleagues and friends who

have rendered their support to make this book possible:-

Mr. Ali Ibrahim Ms. Anne Ng

Ms. Chew Ping Ting Mr. Heng Ming Yuan

Ms. Ng Yan Fei Ms. Ng Yok Lan

Dr. Sheue Chiou Rong Dr. Tan Swee Ngin

Ms. Wong Wei San

This book will not be comprehensive without the additional high-

quality photos to illustrate certain plant species. We would like to

express our heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals for the

contribution of photographs:-

Mr. Chua Jit Chen Mr. Derek Liew

Mr. Derek Yap Mr. Ron YeoDr. S. Chin Wong Mr. Saifudin Suran

Mr. Teo Nam Siang

We would also like to express our appreciation to many individuals

and organizations who have allowed us to take photographs

of their plants and gardens or render their help in one way or

another.

Special appreciation to David Yeap and Alex Toh of Touche

Design for their innovative and contemporary design in making this

book attractive and functional.

Last but not least, we would like to thank our families for their

patient support and encouragement.

Commelina sp.


6/76IVPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Plants in Tropical Cities is a pictorial reference to the vastselection of plants found in tropical cities. This book serves as

a guide for horticulturists, landscapers and researchers in plant

identication.

The main section of the book provides botanical information

of the plant species using photos that illustrate their various

morphological features. The plant species are arranged in

alphabetical order according to their scientic name. Information

pertaining to the individual species includes the Scientic Name,Family, Common Name and possible Synonym. Other useful

botanical information and plant cultural needs are provided using

various pictorial icons.

AnnonaceaeRed Hot Poker,

Unona grandiora, U. setigera,Uvaria purpurea, U. platypetala,U. rhodantha, U. rufa, U. setigera

Uvaria grandifora

How to use this book?


7/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities V

The scientic names (also known as the botanical name) ofplants are derived using the binomial nomenclature system. Thisformal system of naming plants gives each plant species a namethat composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammaticalforms. Taking the example of Uvaria grandifora, Uvariais thegenus and grandiforais the specic epithet. Together, they form

the scientic name for the species Uvaria grandifora. The scienticname is used internationally for plant identication. Conversely, the

use of common names may be ambiguous as they vary between

regions and two or more unrelated plants may also share the same

common name.

Pictorial icons are used to provide our readers with useful biological

information about the species such as the preferred growth habitats

and potential horticultural application. Full description of the

symbols is provided on page VI.

The second section comprises of horticultural palettes for 19

different plant characteristics and various landscaping situations or

applications.

Examples:

Ferns and Fern Allies

Plants for the Greening of Vertical Walls

One has to consider many factors before selecting plants for

various landscapes and gardens. This section aimed to serve as aquick resource for the user. As plants are versatile organisms withadaptations to survive in a few types of habitats, certain speciesof plants could fall under more than one group.


8/76VIPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Plant Habits

T

Trees Plants which

usually grow more than 3

metres in height and 10centimetres in trunk

diameter.

SShrub Plants with

multiple stems and shorter

in height, usually under 5 m.

ClClimbers Plants with soft,

at or round stems with a

small diameter, whichenable them to creep

upwards along the trunk/

branches of trees or any

other supporting structures.

FFerns Plants that do not

bear owers and thus

produce no fruits or seeds;

reproduce by spores

instead.

PPalms Plants with large,

palmately or pinnately

compound, evergreen

leaves spirally arranged at

the top of an unbranched

trunk.

Cy Cycads Palm-like plants

with stout, woody trunk anda crown of hard and stiff

evergreen leaves.

Plant Care

RequirementsPrefers

full-shade

condition

Prefers

semi-shade

condition

Prefers full-sun

condition

Requires

occasional

spraying

Requires little

water for

maintenance

Requiresmoderate

watering for

maintenance

Requires lots of

water for

maintenance

and to be given

on a regular

basis

Key to Symbols

Barringtonia sp.


9/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities VII

Plant Use/CharacteristicsTropical natives Plants which

thrive well in the tropics, where the

climate is warm and generally moist

all year round. These plants are

found in Singapore and theneighbouring countries.

Suitable for roadside planting

Trees or palms which require

little maintenance are suitable for

roadside planting. Generally, larger

trees and palms are planted along

main roads, whereas smaller trees

and palms are planted along minor

roads.

Suitable for seaside planting

These plants tend to be tolerant

of salt-sprays and the periodic

strong coastal winds. Some may

have varying degree of salt-

tolerance to sea water.

Aquatic plants Plants which are

adapted to live in an aquatic

environment.

Drought tolerant plants Also

known as xerophytes with high

water-use efciency. These plants

are either morphologically or

physiologically (or both) adapted to

periodic water decit.

IndoorPlants

Herbs& Spices

Ornamental

foliage

Ornamentalfowers

Attractsbirds

Attractsbutterfies


10/76VIIIPLANTSin Tropical Cities

PrefaceThe use of plants in landscaping goes

back a long way since 5000 years ago.

In ancient civilisations, the choice of

plants used for landscaping purposes

may take into consideration of their

botanical, cultural or mythologicalsignicance. During the mid-20th

century and especially in urban cities,

plants were primarily grown for simple

aesthetic purposes within a man-made

environment.

There are many avenues for using plants

in our contemporary living environment.

Plants can be used simply to form

canopies that provide shade for any

desired place, such as those planted

along the road sides and in the parks.

Plants are also grown to form green

screens which block off unsightly views

from an aesthetic perspective. The variety

and availability of plants that can be used

for any landscaping activity is indeed

unlimited and this is especially true for

the warmer tropical and sub-tropical

cities. At present, a broad assortment of

plant species is used to meet the ever

increasing demand of compatible planting

materials for urban landscapes and

recreational areas.

Advancement made in the elds of

horticulture and plant sciences had helped

us to better understand the immense

potential of using plants to improve the

urban environment in which we live

in. Within this context, plants are nolonger cultivated solely for food, shade

or aesthetic purposes but for the added

and often unseen Ecological services

they provide. Apart from adding colours

onto the seemingly boring concrete

buildings, these plants are able to reduce

the negative effects of our contemporary

built environment. For example, recentstudies have shown that green roofs and

green walls can reduce the heat entering

and trapped within the buildings. Many

urban-dwellers also choose to grow

potted plants indoor over articial plants,

which can improve the air quality of their

homes and ofces.

Plants also play a pivotal role in many

Water-sensitive Urban Design, where

landscaping practices and selected plants

are carefully incorporated within modern

civil engineering works in order to reduce

ooding and even improving the water

quality of the associated waterways and

waterbodies. With the increasing desire

among urban dwellers to have more

greenery within the built environment,

city planners are increasingly naturalizing

former concrete canals with suitableplants to re-create natural Waterscapes in

a bid to improve the livability of the area

for the people

With an appropriate selection of

plants from the ecological perspective,

horticultural landscaping will help to

re-introduce biodiversity back to the built

environment by restoring the natural

habitats that were previously lost as a

result of urbanisation. As such, the roleof plant introduction in any urban setting

has gradually evolved over the years,

Acer sp.


11/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities IX

from its simple aesthetic purpose andtowards improving the livability of the builtenvironment using essentially the intrinsicbiological properties of plants.

With the intention to conserve and

restore the dwindling biologicaldiversity and natural heritage withinthe built environment, suitable plantspecies, especially native or indigenousspecies, can be re-introduced backinto cities through the process of urban

landscaping. The planting of native plants

can restore the natural biodiversity and

heritage of any given area by attracting

some previously lost fauna.

In order to enjoy the beauty and multiple

benets of what plants can provide, it isimportant to rst understand the biological

features of these plants, and their basic

growth requirements and compatibilitywith the tropical environment. This

includes understanding the interactions

between the plant species and the other

organisms of the ecosystem (e.g. alegume plant and its symbiotic bacteria

Rhizobium in the root nodules; potential

pollinator of a fruit tree), as well as the

inuence of environmental factors on

the growth of these plants. Therefore,having good horticultural and scientic

understanding of the selected plants will

provide landscapers and researchers with

the necessary knowledge to choose theappropriate plants for their site of interest.

Plants in Tropical Cities aims to be a

pictorial reference to the vast selectionof plants found in many tropical and

even sub-tropical cities. This bookserves as a quick and easy-to-use

guide for horticulturists, landscapers

and researchers in plant identication.

The rst part of the book categorises theplants in alphabetical order according to

their scientic name. In this part of the

book, photos describing the plants will

be shown to facilitate quick and reliableidentication purpose. Each plant will thenbe further classied, in accordance to its


12/76XPLANTSin Tropical Cities

probable usage, in the later sections. Thesecond segment contains 19 arbitrarygrowth habitat categories, with some briefdescriptions for each growth habitat andtheir potential horticultural application.Photographs and iconic labels (e.g.,sun-loving; low watering frequency) areused to describe each plant speciesand their basic growth preferences. It isnoteworthy that certain species of plantscan be classied under more than onegroup as the characteristics of plants areusually not black and white per se, andmay be variable over a typical biologicalcontinuum.

As quoted from Baba Dioum, a well-known Senegalese conservationist:

In the end, we will conserve only whatwe love, we will love only what weunderstand and we will understand onlywhat we are taught.

We sincerely hope that this book canincrease the awareness,understandingand appreciation of tropical city plants.With greater and in-depth understandingof tropical plants and their growth habits,appropriate choice of plants can then bemade for landscaping or any other activityinvolving plant selection leading to plantintroduction on sites. From a broaderperspective, the continual selection,introduction and integration of ecologicallycompatible plants into urban greenery isthe most ideal approach to improve thelivability of our cities while restoring andconserving our natural heritage and livingenvironment in tropical cities.

Begonia sp.


13/76

Acanthus ilicifolius


14/762 APLANTSin Tropical Cities

MalvaceaeLadys-Finger, Okra, Gumbo, Bendi,

Hibiscus esculentus

Malvaceae Devils Cotton, Indian Hemp,

Malvaceae Tuberose Mallow, Hibiscus sagittifolius

Abelmoschus esculentus

Abelmoschus sagittifolius

Abroma augusta


15/76

Bixa orellana


16/76126 B PLANTSin Tropical Cities

ArecaceaeButi, Wine Palm, Jelly Palm,Pindo Palm,

Butia bonnettii, Cocos capitata

Sterculiaceae

MalpighiaceaeNance, Savanna Serrette,Golden Spoon,

Malpighia crassifolia

Butia capitata

Byrsonima crassifolia

Byttneria maingayi


17/76

Cerbera manghas


18/76250C PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Araceae Arbi

Arecaceae

Sealing-Wax Palm, Pinang Rajah,Maharajah Palm, Lipstick Palm,Red Sealing Wax,

Cyrtostachys lakka

Araceae Swamp Taro, Giant Swamp Taro

Cyrtosperma johnstonii

Cyrtosperma merkusii

Cyrtostachys renda


19/76

Delonix regia


20/76298D PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Arecaceae

Yellow Cane Palm, Golden Cane Palm,Butterfy Palm, Golden Fruited Palm,Madagascar Palm, Yellow Palm, GoldenCane Palm, Pinang Kuning, Bamboo Palm,Yellow Areca Palm,

Chrysalidocarpus baronii var.littorallis,C. glaucescens, C. lutescens

Meliaceae Stem Dysoxylon

Arecaceae

Malagasy Palm, Butterfy Palm, LucubaPalm, Mahajanga Palm, Farihazo,Hirihiry, Kizohazo,

Chrysalidocarpus lucubensis,C. madagascariensis, C. oleraceus

Dypsis lutescens

Dypsis madagascariensis

Dysoxylum cauliforum


21/76

Euphorbia sp.


22/76334 E PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Excoecaria cochinchinensis

Euphorbiaceae Blind-Your-Eyes, Buta-Buta, Bebuta, Milky Mangrove,

Excoecaria agallocha

ExcoecariacochinchinensisFirestorm

EuphorbiaceaeButa-Buta, Bebuta, Daun Sambang,Daging,

Excoecaria bicolor


23/76

Fagraea fragrans


24/76360 F PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Onagraceae Ladies Eardrop,

Agavaceae Giant False Agave, Furcraea giganteaStriata

Furcraea foetida Striata

Fuchsia Hybrids

Annonaceae Wedding Canange

Friesodielsia desmoides


25/76

Grammatophyllum speciosum


26/76390G PLANTSin Tropical Cities

AsteraceaeLongevity Spinach, Sambung Nyawa, Green Harmony,

Gynura procumbens

Asteraceae

Gynura pseudochina var.hispida


27/76

Helianthus annuus


28/76426H PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Arecaceae Spindle Palm, Palmiste Marron

Lamiaceae Knobweed

Cyperaceae Hypolytrum formosanum, H. latifolium,Schoenus nemorum

Hyophorbe verschaffeltii

Hypolytrum nemorum

Hyptis capitata


29/76

Ixora congesta


30/76446 I PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Ixora Cultivars

Ixora Super Orange

Ixora Light Pink

Ixora Super Pink

Ixora Hybrid Ixora Siam Ribbon

Ixora Super King

Rubiaceae


31/76

Jatropha gossypifolia


32/76448 J PLANTSin Tropical Cities

BignoniaceaeJacaranda, Green Ebony,Jambol Merah, Jambul Merak,

Bignonia licifolia, Jacaranda licifolia,J. rhombifolia

Rubiaceae Merbuluh Mereh, Selimbar, Selumar

Jacaranda obtusifolia

Jackiopsis ornata


33/76

Knema globularia


34/76458 KPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Zingiberaceae Limestone Kaempferia, Kaempferia pulchra

Kaempferia elegans

ZingiberaceaeCekur, Kencur, Sand Ginger, LesserGalangale, Resurrection Lily,(Rhizome), (Whole Plant)

Kaempferia galanga


35/76

Lepironia articulata


36/76470 L PLANTSin Tropical Cities

PrimulaceaeAkar Fatimah, Kunci Fatimah, Rumput Siti Fatimah, Selusoh Fatimah,Akar Kecil Fatimah, Kacip Fatimah, Pokok Pinggan, Mata Pelandok Rimba,

Labisia pumila

Fabaceae Hyacinth Bean,Lablab Bean,Dolichos lablab, D. purpureus, Lablabniger, L. lablab, L. vulgaris, Vignaaristata

Lablab purpureus

Labisia pumilaCultivar (Pink Leaf)


37/76

Melaleuca cajuputi


38/76508MPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Euphorbiaceae Giant Mahang Macaranga incisa, M. megalophylla

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga populifolia

Macaranga gigantea

Macaranga conifera

Euphorbiaceae Mahang Plant, Common Mahang Macaranga tenuifolia

Macaranga bancana


39/76

Nymphaea cultivar


40/76562N PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Berberidaceae Heavenly Bamboo, Sacred Bamboo, Nandina,

Rubiaceae Bangkal, Leichhardt Tree,

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil,

Nandina domesticax

Nauclea orientalis

Narcissus Species


41/76

Oryza sativa


42/76576O PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Olacaceae Petaling, TamggalOchanostachys bancana, Petaliniabancana

Ochanostachys amentacea

OchnaceaeVietnamese Mickey Mouse Plant,

Elaeocarpus integerrimus, Ochnaandamanica, O. wallichii, O. harmandii

Ochna integerrima

Ochnaceae Mickey Mouse Plant,

Ochna kirkii


43/76

Passifora sp.


44/76594 P PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Malvaceae

Guiana Chestnut, Provision Tree,Shaving-Brush Tree, MalabarChestnut, Water Chestnut, Saba Nut,Fortune Tree, Money Tree, Oje,

Bombax aquaticum, B. macrocarpum,Carolinea macrocarpa, Pachiramacrocarpa

MalvaceaeFrench Peanut, Guinea Peanut,Money Tree, Lucky Tree

Bombacopsis glabra

Pachira aquatica

Pachira glabra


45/76

Quisqualis indica


46/76682QPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Simaroubaceae Bitter-Wood, Bitterwood, Surinam Quassia,

Combretaceae

Rangoon Creeper, Drunken Sailor,Akar Dani, Akar Suloh, Dani,Ara Dani, Akar Pontianak,Red Jasmine,

Combretum indicum, Kleinia

quadricolor, Mekistus sinensis,Ourouparia enormis, Quisqualis glabra,Q. grandifora, Q. indica var.oxypetala,Q. indica var.villosa, Q. longifora,Q. loureiroi, Q. obovata, Q. pubescens,Q. sinensis, Q. spinosa, Q. villosa

Simaroubaceae Samadera indica, S. madagascariensis, S. tetrapetala

Quassia amara

Quisqualis indica

Quassia indica

(Single Petal)


47/76

Rhizophora stylosa


48/76684 RPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Brassicaceae Radish,

Raphanus sativus

Bignoniaceae Dwarf Tree Jasmine, Peep Thong

Primulaceae Kicar, Kicar-Kicar Myrsine porteriana

Radermachera Kunming

Rapanea porteriana


49/76

Senna alata


50/76706 S PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Arecaceae

Blue Palmetto, Cabbage Palmetto,Cabbage Tree, Common Palmetto,

Sabal jamesiana, S. parvifora,S. viatoris

Poaceae

African Fodder Cane, Asian FodderCane, Fodder Cane, Kans Grass,Wild Sugarcane,

Imperata spontanea, Saccharumcanaliculatum, S. propinquum,S. semidecumbens

Poaceae Sugarcane, Tebu,

Sabal palmetto

Saccharum spontaneum

Saccharum ofcinarum


51/76

Tunera subulata


52/76786T PLANTSin Tropical Cities

BignoniaceaeParaguayan Silver Trumpet Tree,Silver Trumpet Tree,Tree of Gold,

Tabebuia argentea

BignoniaceaeGold Trumpet Tree, Cortez,Corteza,Guayacan, Piuva

Tabebuia hypodidiction, T.neochrysantha, Tecoma heterotricha,T. ochracea

Bignoniaceae Roble Cimarron,Bignonia haemantha, Tecomahaemantha, Spathodea portoricensis

Tabebuia aurea

Tabebuia ochracea

Tabebuia haemantha


53/76

Utricularia aurea


54/76832U PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Rubiaceae

PedialiaceaeMouse Trap Tree, Succulent Sesame,

Harpagophytum grandidieri

Rubiaceae

Uncaria cordata

Uncaria longifora var.pteropoda

Uncarina grandidieri


55/76

Victoria amazonica


56/76840 VPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Apocynaceae Bread Flower,

Orchidaceae Singapore Orchid,

Vallaris glabra

Vanda Miss Joaquim


57/76

Wodyetia bifurcata


58/76852WPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Arecaceae Wallich Palm,

Arecaceae Mexican Fan Palm, Washington Palm, ,

Malvaceae Sleepy Morning, Waltheria americana, W. elliptica

Wallichia disticha

Waltheria indica

Washingtonia robusta


59/76

Xanthorrhoea johnsonii


60/76858 XPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Polygalaceae Xanthophyllum afne

Polygalaceae Minyak Berok, Nyalin

Polygalaceae Kiu, Nyalin

Xanthophyllum favescens

Xanthophyllum obscurum

Xanthophyllum vitellinum


61/76

Yucca aloifolia


62/76866 YPLANTSin Tropical Cities

Youngia japonica

Asparagaceae Spanish Dagger, Palm Lily, Mound-Lily Yucca,

Asparagaceae Spanish Bayonet, Dagger Plant,

Yucca aloifolia

Yucca gloriosa

(Variegated)

Asteraceae Oriental Hawksbeard, Asiatic Hawksbeard,


63/76

Zingiber ottensii


64/76868 Z PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Zamiaceae Fernleaf Cycad, Zamia forsteri, Zamia tenuifolia

Zamiaceae Florida Arrowroot, Coontie Zamia integrifolia

Zamiaceae Cardboard Palm, Sago Cycas,

Zamia scheri

Zamia furfuracea

Zamia pumila


65/76PLANTSin Tropical Cities PLANT CATEGORIES 875

CycadsCycads (Cycadaceae) are gymnosperms as they bear seeds that arenot enclosed by a structure. Although these plants resemble palms,both families of plants are taxonomically unrelated. Morphologicallysimilar to certain palm species, cycads generally have cylindricaltrunks that do not branch. Pinnate leaves will form a crown on the topof the trunk as part of the vegetative growth cycle. Cycads are eithermale or female and they bear reproductive cones in the centre of thecrown. Unlike palms, cycads generally grow at a slower rate and theyhave a longer life span. Cycads are popular plants for landscapingpurposes due to their interesting and unique features and lowmaintenance requirement.

Ceratozamiarobusta

174

Cycas clivicola

241

Cycas edentata

242

Cycas revoluta

242

Dioon edule

270

Dioon spinulosum

271

Macrozamiamoorei

513

Zamia scheri

868

Zamia furfuracea

868

Zamia pumila

868


66/76876 PLANT CATEGORIES PLANTSin Tropical Cities

PalmsPalms (Arecaceae) is a family of plants which are generallyrecognised for their large, palmately (fan-shaped) or pinnately(feather-shaped) compound, evergreen leaves that are spirallyarranged at the top of an unbranched trunk. A palm tree caneither grow as a single trunk ending with a crown of leaves, or inclusters where shoots emerge from axillary buds near the baseof the trunk resulting in clustering. Palms thrive well in tropical,sub-tropical and warm temperate climates. In many cities, palmsare widely used in landscaping as these plants are considerediconic plants and are often selected as the main aesthetic featureof a place/locality.

Acoelorraphewrightii

10

Adonidia merrillii

17

Aiphanes horrida

29

Archontophoenixalexandrae

68

Areca catechu

70

Areca triandra

71

Areca vestiaria

71

Arengahookeriana

71

Arenga pinnata

72

Arengaundulatifolia

72

Arengawesterhoutii

72

Asterogynemartiana

Beccariophoenixmadagascariensis

105

Bentinckianicobarica

107

Bismarckia nobilis

109

Bismarckia nobilisSilver

109

Borassodendronmachadonis

113

Borassusabellifer

113

Butia capitata

126

Calyptrocalyxmicholitzii

148

Carpentariaacuminata

161



Drought Tolerant Plants

Uncarinagrandidieri

832

Uvaria grandiora

838

Vanilla planifolia

841

Vanilla planifoliaVariegata

841

Vitex trifolia

846 847

Washingtoniarobusta

852

Xanthorrhoeajohnsonii

859

Yucca aloifolia

866

Yucca aloifolia(Variegated)

866

Yucca gloriosa

866

Ziziphusmauritiana

873

Ziziphusnummularia

873

Zornia diphylla

874

Zoysia Species

874



Fragrant PlantsTo further enhance the multiple roles of any gardens, fragrant plantsare introduced to give an additional dimension to our senses smell!Many fragrant plants are well known for their positive benets inaromatherapy. Growing fragrant plants in gardens also improves thebiodiversity as the scent will attract more pollinators. Based on ourexperiences, it is best to grow these plants at places where there isminimal external wind movements in order to retain the fragrancewhich are essentially natural chemicals secreted by the plants

Agelaeaborneensis

23

Aglaiaduperreana

24

Aglaia odorata

24

Allium tuberosum

33

Aloysia virgata

37

Alstoniaangustifolia

41

Alstoniaangustiloba

41

Alstonia scholaris

42

Alstoniaspathulata

42

Amorphophallusatroviridis

47

Amorphophalluspaeoniifolius

47

Amorphophallustitanum

47

Anaxagoreajavanica

50

Angeloniaangustifolia

52

Anisomelesindica

53

Annonacherimola

54

Anrederacordifolia

55

Antigononleptopus

60

Arachnotryxleucophylla

65

Areca triandra

71

Aristolochiagrandiora

74



Roadside Plants

Syzygiumsyzygioides

783

Syzygiumzeylanicum

784

Tabebuia aurea

786

Tabebuia pallida

787

Tabebuia rosea

787

Talipariti tiliaceum

794

Tamarindusindica

795

Tecoma stans

798

Tectona grandis

799

Terminalia brassii

799

Terminaliacalamansanai

800

Terminaliacatappa

800

Terminaliamantaly

801

Terminaliamantaly Tricolor

801

Tristaniopsisobovata

827

Tristaniopsiswhiteana

827

Washingtoniarobusta

852

Wodyetiabifurcata

854

Xanthostemonchrysanthus

860

XanthostemonSpecies (OrangeFlower)

861

Xanthostemon

Species (PinkFlower)

861

Xanthostemonyoungii

861



Plants for Green Roof PlantingA green roof is generally dened as the cultivation of plants on growthmedium over a waterproof membrane on buildings. In many cities,green roofs are popular and are widely installed on many buildingsdue to the many positive attributes associated with improving theliveability of any urban environment. The availability of water on theroof top will determine the type of plants chosen for any green roofplanting exercise. If irrigation system is absent, plants which employCrassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) mode of photosynthesis aremore suitable as they tend to use much less water, i.e., have higherwater use efciency. More variety of plants can be grown on greenroofs if a well-established irrigation system is available.

AgaveangustifoliaMarginata

22

Agavedesmettiana

22

Agave potatorum

22

Agave tequilana

23

Alternantheracoidea

43

Alternantherasessilis

44

Alternantherasessilis Red

44

Alysicarpusvaginalis

44

Arachis pintoi

65

Arachis pintoicultivar orangeowers

65

AsparagusdensiorusSprengeri

81

Axonopuscompressus

89

AxonopuscompressusPearl Grass

89

Beaucarnearecurvata

104

Callisia repens

143

Carissamacrocarpa

159

CarissamacrocarpaNana

159

Carissamacrocarpa(Variegated)

159

Carpobrotusedulis

161

Chrysopogonzizanioides

186

CodiaeumvariegatumCultivars

206



Mangrove and Mangrove AssociatesA mangrove area is typically characterised by muddy shoresof sheltered coasts and river estuaries which are subjected tomovements of tides and periodic overow of rivers. Hence the soil isoften waterlogged, anaerobic and they may have high salinity (may beuctuating) and pH. Mangrove is a plant community which inhabit themangrove areas whereas mangrove associates may extend its habitat

colonisation further into terrestrial communities. Mangrove speciesare well adapted to grow and thrive in such ecologically-challengingenvironment with several unique biologically features which are notpresent in mangrove associates. Many mangrove species developunique structures to help them to survive in this coastal environmentsuch as breathing roots (pneumatophores) and their seeds tendto germinate while attached to the parent plant (vivipary). Somemangrove plants have succulent leaves that contain specializedglands which secrete excess salt. It is important to recognise thatmangrove and mangrove associates can be planted for landscapingpurposes under certain unique circumstances or special requirementsfor selected project sites.

Acanthusebracteatus

8

Acanthusebracteatus

(Variegated)8

Acanthusilicifolius

8

Acanthus volubilis

9

Acrostichumaureum

12

Acrostichumspeciosum

12

Aegicerascorniculatum

19

Allophylus cobbe

34

Ardisia elliptica69

Avicennia alba

87

Avicennia marina

88

Avicenniarumphiana

88

Barringtoniaasiatica

97

Barringtoniaedulis

98

Barringtoniaracemosa

98

Brownlowia tersa119

Bruguieracylindrica

120

Bruguieragymnorhiza

121

Bruguiera hainesii

121

Bruguieraparviora

122

Caesalpinia crista

129



Mangrove and Mangrove Associates

Pandanustectorius Sanderi

600

Pemphis acidula

610

Podocarpuspolystachyus

651

Planchonellaobovata

663

Rhizophoraapiculata

689

Rhizophoramucronata

690

Rhizophorastylosa

690

Scaevola taccada

718

Scyphiphorahydrophylacea

728

Sonneratia alba

747

Sonneratiaapetala

748

Sonneratiacaseolaris

748

Sonneratia ovata

749

Talipariti tiliaceum

794

Talipariti tiliaceumDwarf

794

Talipariti tiliaceumTricolor

794

Talipariti tiliaceumvar.purpurascens

794

Terminaliacatappa

800

Thespesiapopulnea

806

Xylocarpusgranatum

863

Xylocarpusmoluccensis

863

Xylocarpusrumphii

864


73/76982 INDEX PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Abelmoschus 2Aberia 285Abroma 2Abrus 3Abutilon 3

Acacia 4,300,485,569,711Acalypha 5,6,7Acanthopanax 310Acanthus 1, 8,9Acapillaris 76Acer VIII,9Acetosella 592,591Achras 185,522,662,663

Acmella 10

Acoelorraphe 10Acokanthera 788Acorus 11Acrostichum 12,644Acrotrema 12Actinodaphne 13Actinophloeus 679Actinoscirpus 13Adansonia 14Adelaster 356Adenanthera 14,337Adenia 15Adenium 15Adenoropium 450Adhatoda 528Adiantum 505,16Adina 17Adinandra 17Adonidia 17Adinootrys 140Adipera 733

Aechmea 18,19Aegiceras 19Aegiphila 603Aeschynanthus 20Aeschynomene 737Afardisia 68Afgekia 21Agapanthus 21Agathis 21Agati 737Agave 22

Agelaea 23Ageratum 23,24Aglaia 24Aglaonema 25,26,27,28

Agrostis 318,440Agrostistachys 28Aidia 28Aiphanes 29Ajania 29

Ajuga 29Albizia 337,711Alcantarea 850Alchornea 232Aletris 288Aleurites 30Allamanda 30,31,32Allium 33Allophylus 34Alocasia 34,35,36Aloe 37Alopecurus 611Aloysia 37Alphonsea 547Alpinia 37,38,39,40,321Alsodeia 694Alstonia 41,42,296Alternanthera 43,44Alysicarpus 44Amaranthus 45

Ambaiba 169Amerimnon 254Amesiodendron 45Amherstia 46Amischotolype 46Ammannia 46Ammocallis 167Amomum 872Amoora 61Amorphophallus 47Ampelygonum 620Ampelocissus 48Anacardium 49Ananas 49,50Anastrophu 604Anaxagorea 50Andira 51Andrographis 51Andropogon 185,244,440

Aneilema 554

Anemopaegma 51Angelica 52Angelonia 52Angiopteris 53Anisomeles 53

Anisophyllea 54Annona 54,55Anoectochilus 55Anredera 55Anthactinia 15

Anthocephalus 564Anthurium 56,57Antia 204Antiaris 58Antidesma 58,59Antigonon 60Antrophyum 60Aphanamixis 61Aphelandra 61,699Aporosa 62,63Aporum 257Aptenia 64Aquilaria 64Arachis 64,65Arachnotryx 65Aralia 338Aralidium 65Araucaria 66Archidendron 67Archontophoenix 68Archytaea 649

Ardisia 68,69Arduina 159Areca 70,71,637Arenga 71,72Arfeuillea 73Argyreia 73,763Aristolochia 73,74,75Arrabidaea 715Artabotrys 75Artanthe 638Artemisia 76,230Arthrophyllum 77Artocarpus 77,78,79,603Arum 47,622,624,859Arundina 79,80Arundo 80,629Asclepias 81,147,377Asparagus 81,82Aspidistra 83Aspidopterys 83

Aspidium 569Asplenium 83,84Assa 802Aster 772Asterogyne 85

Asteromyrtus 85Astyposanthes 769Asystasia 85,86Ataccia 790Atractocarpus 86

Averrhoa 87Avicennia 87,88Axanthes 834Axonopus 89Azadirachta 90Azolla 90

Azukia 845Baccaurea 92Bacopa 93Baeckea 93Baeobotrys 513Baikiaea 94Balanocarpus 564Ballota 53Balsamaria 145Bambusa 94,95Baphia 96Barleria 96,97Barringtonia VI,97,98Basella 99Bassia 513

Bauhinia 99,100,101,102,103,104Beaumontia 104,105Beccariophoenix 105Begonia X,106Beilschmiedia 107Belamcanda 439Beloperone 455Bentinckia 107Berrya 107Biasolettia 404Bignonia 51,448,511,523,715,786Bihai 396,400Billbergia 109Biota 646Bismarckia 109Bixa 91, 110Blechnum 110Bletia 79Blighia 111

Blumea 111Blumeodendron 112Bobea 814Boerhavia 112Bombacopsis 594

Genus Name


74/76990 INDEX PLANTSin Tropical Cities

Anonymous (1970) Selected Plants andPlanting for a Garden City: Forty PopularClimbers. Ministry of Law and NationalDevelopment (National DevelopmentDivision), Singapore.

Anonymous (2000) Guiding Principlesfor Constructed Treatment Wetlands:Providing for Water Quality and WildlifeHabitat. US Environmental Protection

Agency, Washington DC, USA.Anonymous (2001) A Guide to SkyriseGardening. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Anonymous (2009) ABC Waters DesignGuideline: Version 1.Public Utilities Board,Singapore.

Archer-Wills A (2002) The Water Gardener:A Complete Guide to Designing,Constructing and Planting WaterFeatures. Todtri Productions, New York,USA.

Barwick M (2004) Tropical and SubtropicalTrees: A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide.Thames and Hudson Ltd, London, UK.

Bell AD, Brian A (2008) Plant Form: AnIllustrated Guide to Flowering PlantMorphology. Timber Press.

Boo CM, Omar-Hor K, Ou-Yang CL (2006)1001 Garden Plants in Singapore.NationalParks Board, Singapore.

Chan GL, Chang S, Chow KK, Goh KL,Hoo KY (2000). A Guide to Toxic Plantsof Singapore. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Cheifetz A, Double C, Barnard L, Imwold D(2002) Botanicas Annuals and Perennials.Laurel Glen Publishing, San Diego, USA.

Chia TF, Astley D (2012) The EssentialGuide to Growing Orchids in the Tropics.Marshall Cavendish International (Asia)Pte Ltd.

Chin SC, Chan E (1995) Skyrise Gardeningin Highrise Homes.National Parks Board,Singapore.

Chong KY, Tan HTW, Corlett RT (2009) AChecklist of the Total Vascular Plant Floraof Singapore: Native, Naturalised andCultivated Species. Rafes Museum ofBiodiversity Research, National University ofSingapore, Singapore.

Corlett RT (2009) The Ecology of TropicalEast Asia. Oxford University Press Inc.,New York.

Corner EJH (1997) Wayside Trees ofMalaya: Vols. 1 and 2 (4thedition).Malayan

Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Courtright G (1988) Tropicals.Timber Press,Portland, Oregon, USA. 1988.

Davison GWH, Ng PKL, Ho CH. (2008) TheSingapore Red Data Book: ThreatenedPlants and Animals of Singapore (2ndEdition).The Nature Society, Singapore.

Ellison D (1995) Cultivated Plants of theWorld: Trees, Shrubs, Climbers. FloraPublications International Pty Ltd, Brisbane,Australia.

Ellison D, Ellison A (2001) Cultivated Palmsof the World.University of New South WalesPress Ltd, Sydney, Australia.

Engel DH, Phumai S (2000) Whats that

Tree? A Field Guide to Tropical Plants ofAsia.Times Edition, Singapore.

Foo JMY, Ang SLP, Yong JWH (2003)Magical mistletoes. Nature Watch 11: 2-5.

Foo TS (1998) A Guide to the Wildowersof Singapore. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Poole C, Briggs E (2006) Tonle Sap - TheHeart of Cambodias Natural Heritage.River Books, Bangkok, Thailand.

Rauch FD, Weissich PR (2000) Plantsfor Tropical Landscapes: A GardenersGuide.University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu,USA.

Seidenfaden G. and Wood J.J. (1992) The

Orchids of Peninsular Malaysia andSingapore.Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg.

Soepadmo E (1998) The Encyclopedia ofMalaysia Plants.Tien Wah Press Pte Ltd,Singapore.

Speichert G, Speichert S (2004)Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants.Timber Press, Portland, USA.

Stephens KM, Dowling RM (2002) WetlandPlants of Queensland: A Field Guide.CSIRO, Collingwood, Australia.

Tan HTW (1995) A Guide to the ThreatenedPlants of Singapore. Singapore ScienceCentre, Singapore.

Tan HTW, Chua KS (1995) Growing at yourDoorstep, 35 Native Plants of Singapore(2nd edition). Singapore EnvironmentCouncil, Singapore.

Tan HTW, Hew CS (1995) A Guide to theOrchids of Singapore. Singapore ScienceCentre, Singapore.

Tan HTW, Morgany T (2001) A Guide toGrowing Native Plants of Singapore.Singapore Science Centre, Singapore.

Tan PY, Sia A (2005). A Selection of Plantsfor Green Roofs in Singapore. NationalParks Board, Singapore.

Tee SP (2009) Trees of Our Garden City: AGuide to the Common Trees of Singapore(2nd Edition). National Parks Board,Singapore.

Teo CKH (1995) Native Orchids ofPeninsular Malaysia. Times BookInternational, Singapore.

Tomlinson PB (1986) The Botany ofMangroves. Cambridge University Press,Cambridge, UK.

Turner IM (1995) A Catalogue of theVascular Plants of Malaya. GardensBulletin Singapore volume 47.

Turner IM (2000) The Plants of theSingapore Botanic Gardens: AnAnnotated Checklist.National Parks Board,Singapore.

Turner IM, Chua KS (2011) Checklist of thevascular plant species of the Bukit TimahNature Reserve. The Rafes Museum ofBiodiversity Research, National University ofSingapore, Singapore.

Turner IM, Yong JWH (1999) The coastalvegetation of Singapore. In: Briffett Cand HC Ho (eds.). State of the NaturalEnvironment in Singapore. Nature Society(Singapore), Singapore. pp 5-23.

Veesommai Uamporn (2001). PlantMaterials in Thailand.Thailand.

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK (1993) IndianMedicinal Plants: A Compendium of 500Species, Volume 4. Orient Longman Pte

Ltd, Himayatnagar, India.Wee YC (1983) A Guide to the Ferns ofSingapore. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Wee YC (1989) A Guide to the WaysideTrees of Singapore. Singapore ScienceCentre, Singapore.

Gardner S (2000) A Field Guide to ForestTrees of Northern Thailand. KobfaiPublishing Project, Bangkok, Thailand.

Heide-Jrgensen HS (2008) ParasiticFlowering Plants. Koninklijke Brill NV,Leiden, Netherlands.

Henderson MR (1953) Malayan WildFlowers Part I.The Malayan Nature Society,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Henderson MR (1954) Malayan WildFlowers Monocotyledons. The MalayanNature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Jones DL (1995) Palms Throughout theWorld. Smithsonian Institution Press,Washington D.C., USA.

Keng H (1990) The Concise Floraof Singapore, Gymnosperms andDicotyledons.Singapore University Press.

Keng H (2003) Orders and Families ofMalayan Seed Plants.Singapore UniversityPress, National University of Singapore,Singapore.

Keng H, Chin SC, Tan HTW (1998) TheConcise Flora of Singapore, Volume II:Monocotyledons. Singapore UniversityPress.

LaFrankie JV (2010) Trees of Tropical Asia:An Illustrated Guide to Diversity. BlackTree Publications Inc, Philippines.

Larsen K, Ibrahim H, Khaw SH, Saw LG(1999). Gingers of Peninsular Malaysiaand Singapore. Natural History Publications(Borneo) Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia.

Lee SK, Lum SKY (2001) A Guide toCommon Horticultural Shrubs. SingaporeScience Centre, Singapore.

Mabberley DJ (1997) The Plant-Book APortable Dictionary of Vascular Plants(2nd edition).Cambridge University Press,

Cambridge, UK.Ng ABC, Ng A, Lee B, Chuah AL, Goh SG,Lai JTK, Tan GC, Vilma DRozario (2005) AGuide to the Fabulous Figs of Singapore.Singapore Science Centre, Singapore.

Ng FSP (2006) Tropical Horticulture andGardening. The Academy of SciencesMalaysia and Clearwater Publications,Malaysia.

Ng PKL (1992) A Guide to Freshwater Lifein Singapore. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Ng PKL, Corlett RT, Tan HTW (2011)Singapore Biodiversity AnEncyclopedia of the Natural Environmentand Sustainable Development. Tien WahPress Pte Ltd, Singapore.

Ng PKL, Sivasothi N (1999) A Guide tothe Mangroves of Singapore 1: TheEcosystem and Plant Diversity.SingaporeScience Centre, Singapore.

Ng PKL, Wang LK, Lim KKP (2008)Private Lives: An Expos of SingaporesMangroves. The Rafes Museum ofBiodiversity Research, National University ofSingapore, Singapore.

Piggott AG (1979) Heinemann Guide toCommon Epiphytic Ferns of Malaysia andSingapore. Heinemann Educational Books(Asia), Singapore.

Piggott AG (1988) Ferns of Malaysia in

colour. Tropical Press Sdn. Bhd. KualaLumpur, Malaysia.

Polunin I (1987) Plants and Flowers ofSingapore.Times Edition, Singapore.

Polunin I (2012) Plants and Flowers ofMalaysia. Marshall Cavendish Editions,Singapore.

Wee YC (1997) Ferns of the Tropics. TimesEditions Pte Ltd, Singapore.

Wee YC (1998) A Guide to the MedicinalPlants. Singapore Science Centre,Singapore.

Wee YC (2004). A Guide to Herbs andSpices of Singapore. Singapore ScienceCentre, Singapore.

Wee YC (2005). Plants that Heal, Thrill andKill. SNP International, Singapore.

Whistler WA (2000) Tropical Ornamentals:A Guide. Timber Press Inc, Portland,Oregon, USA.

Whitmore TC (1988) Tropical Rain Forestsof the Far East (2nd Edition). OxfordUniversity Press, USA.

Whitten T, Whitten J (1996) IndonesianHeritage: Plants. Archipelago Press,Singapore.

Wong KM, Kamariah AS (1999) Forests andtrees of Brunei Darussalam.In: Tree Floraof Brunei Darussalam. University BruneiDarussalam, Brunei Darussalam.

Yam TW (2013) Native Orchids ofSingapore Diversity, Identifcationand Conservation. National Parks Board,Singapore.

Yam TW, Aung Thame, Teo R, Choi YS,Ali Ibrahim, Soh J (2006) Conservationand reintroduction of Singapores nativeorchids to Pulau Ubin. Gardenwise 27:10-11.

Yam TW, Tay F, Ang P, Soh W (2011)Conservation and reintroduction ofnative orchids of Singapore the nextphase. European Journal of EnvironmentalSciences 1: 3847.

Yang YP, Yen SH, Lin CK (2004) Illustrated

Guide to Aquatic Plants of Taiwan.Counsel of Agriculture, The Executive Yuanof Taiwan, Taipei, The Republic of China.

Yong JWH, Tan PY, Nor Haz, Tan SN(2010) A Selection of Plants for Greeningof Waterways and Waterbodies in theTropics. National Parks Board, NanyangTechnological University, Public UtilitiesBoard, Singapore.

Yong JWH, Wang JW, Khew JYT, Sheue CR,Wong WS (2014) A Guide to the CommonEpiphytes and Mistletoes of Singapore.National Parks Board, Singapore Universityof Technology and Design, Singapore.

Websiteshttp://www.anbg.gov.au/mistletoe/epiparasitism.html

http://www.asianplant.net/

http://www.bsi.org/

http://orafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/

http://oraofsingapore.wordpress.com/

http://www.oridata.com/

http://www.frim.gov.my/

http://www.natureloveyou.sg/

http://www.orientalaquarium.com/

http://www.pfaf.org/

http://www.theplantlist.org/

General References


75/76

Cycads

875

Palms

876

Ferns and

Fern Allies880

Climbers

884

Trees

894

GroundCovers

901

Hedges

908

Plants thatAttractButtery

911

Plants thatAttract

Birds917

IndoorPlants

922

AquaticPlants

930

DroughtTolerantPlants

936

FragrantPlants

944

SeasidePlants

953

RoadsidePlants

960

Plants forGreenRoofPlanting

968

Plantsfor theGreeningof VerticalWall

971

Epiphytes

975

MangroveandMangroveAssociates

979

Quick Resource to the19 Categories of PlantGrouping / Applications


76/76

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