SIMPOH AIR (Dillenia Suffruticosa)
This distinctive shrubby tree grows vigorously on eroded soil, wasteland, forest edges and swampy areas. The Malay name Simpoh stands for all the members of the genus Dillenia, many of which are exploited for timber. Plants in the Simpoh family (Dilleniaceae) hiss when the trunk or a branch is cut (you have to put your ear to the cut to hear it). The sound comes from the air that is sucked into the cut vessels. “Air” is the Malay word for water, which accurately describes the characteristic location of this plant, next to streams, at the edges of lakes and ponds. This plant can be found right from Peninsular Malaysia, right down to Borneo, Sumatra and the Riau islands.
In Singapore, which has an abundance of belukar area, this is one of the most dominant species, as it seems to tolerate compacted and waterlogged soil very well. Its attractions are the large leaf blades and prominent secondary veins and toothed margin, bright yellow large flowers and the star shaped split fruits bearing bright scarlet fleshy seeds. The plant blooms from age 3-4 and can live for 50-100 years. Its flowers are visited by Carpenter bees whose wing beats have the same resonating frequency as the stamens; when the stamens vibrate, they duly spray their pollens on these pollinator bees. The flowers are interesting by itself, as it starts to open up at about 3 am and drops off towards the end of the day. The unopened fruits are surrounded by thick red sepals. To distinguish them from flower buds, the fruits face upwards while flower buds face down. The ripe fruit splits open also at 3 am, into pinkish star-shaped segments to reveal seeds covered in red arils. These arils are such a favorite of birds that you will be lucky to still be able to spot them late in the morning. The Simpoh Air sends out very deep tap roots to reach underground water sources. So much so that their presence suggests an underground water source, and some people use the plant as a guide to decide where to dig a well.The Simpoh Air is among the few plants that can germinate and grow on white sands. As a pioneer species, it provides shade for other less hardy plants to establish themselves. The timber is not useful because it is twisted and very hard.
In traditional medicine, the Simpoh Air has been used to staunch bleeding wounds. In Brunei, the fruit pulp is even used to wash hair. The leaves were once used popularly to wrap food like tempeh (fermented soya bean cakes) or formed into shallow cones to contain traditional "fast food" like rojak. You can also try munching on the flower petals … the Malays sometimes cook it as a lemak (savoury) dish.
Do you know …why the Singapore army personnel call the Simpoh Air “CB plant” (translated in Hokkien as Vagina Plant.)
This name was derived from the close resemblance of the slit at the base of the leaf to that of the female reproductive organ … no wonder they say guys only have only one thing on their mind.
In Singapore, which has an abundance of belukar area, this is one of the most dominant species, as it seems to tolerate compacted and waterlogged soil very well. Its attractions are the large leaf blades and prominent secondary veins and toothed margin, bright yellow large flowers and the star shaped split fruits bearing bright scarlet fleshy seeds. The plant blooms from age 3-4 and can live for 50-100 years. Its flowers are visited by Carpenter bees whose wing beats have the same resonating frequency as the stamens; when the stamens vibrate, they duly spray their pollens on these pollinator bees. The flowers are interesting by itself, as it starts to open up at about 3 am and drops off towards the end of the day. The unopened fruits are surrounded by thick red sepals. To distinguish them from flower buds, the fruits face upwards while flower buds face down. The ripe fruit splits open also at 3 am, into pinkish star-shaped segments to reveal seeds covered in red arils. These arils are such a favorite of birds that you will be lucky to still be able to spot them late in the morning. The Simpoh Air sends out very deep tap roots to reach underground water sources. So much so that their presence suggests an underground water source, and some people use the plant as a guide to decide where to dig a well.The Simpoh Air is among the few plants that can germinate and grow on white sands. As a pioneer species, it provides shade for other less hardy plants to establish themselves. The timber is not useful because it is twisted and very hard.
In traditional medicine, the Simpoh Air has been used to staunch bleeding wounds. In Brunei, the fruit pulp is even used to wash hair. The leaves were once used popularly to wrap food like tempeh (fermented soya bean cakes) or formed into shallow cones to contain traditional "fast food" like rojak. You can also try munching on the flower petals … the Malays sometimes cook it as a lemak (savoury) dish.
Do you know …why the Singapore army personnel call the Simpoh Air “CB plant” (translated in Hokkien as Vagina Plant.)
This name was derived from the close resemblance of the slit at the base of the leaf to that of the female reproductive organ … no wonder they say guys only have only one thing on their mind.