TEMBUSU (Fagraea Fragrans)
The tembusu is one of the more beautiful native trees in Singapore. It can grow to a height of about 30 meters. It is easily recognized from the distinctive dark brown, deeply fissured bark, which contrasts nicely with the light green foliage. Flowers are a lovely cream color and grow in clusters near the ends of branchlets. The tree flowers towards the middle and the end of the year. The blooming flowers create a strong, yet not overpowering fragrance that is most noticeable at night or in the late evening. Flowers are pollinated by nocturnal moths and develop berries, which ripen from orange to red. These fruits are fleshy and contain numerous tiny reddish brown seeds and are eaten by birds, squirrels and fruit bats. It is a native of Sumatra , parts of Thailand and Malaysia. The highly fragrant flowers are gathered by women for garlands and personal adornments. The wood of the tembusu is very hard, pale yellow with a purplish tint, easy to work and durable. It is therefore used a lot to build houses, bridges, furniture,
chopping boards and Malay grave posts. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is a said treatment for Malaria and for blood in the stools. Because it tolerates low soil fertility, it is often planted as a shade tree and to check soil erosion.
Do you know that the tembusu is the National tree of Singapore and the tembusu tree that appears on the $5 Singapore is found in the Singapore Botanics Garden.
chopping boards and Malay grave posts. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is a said treatment for Malaria and for blood in the stools. Because it tolerates low soil fertility, it is often planted as a shade tree and to check soil erosion.
Do you know that the tembusu is the National tree of Singapore and the tembusu tree that appears on the $5 Singapore is found in the Singapore Botanics Garden.