This year,to emphasize that Singapore is a bustling metropolis nestled in a lush mantle of tropical greenery,two flowering plants - the Simpoh Air and Singapore Rhododendron are featured in this Fauna & Flora definitive series.
The distinctive Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffruticosa) grows vigorously on eroded soil,wasteland,forest edges and swampy areas.Simpoh Air has large leaves and large yellow flowers.The flowers usually last for only a day.The thin layer of red flesh surrounding the seeds is irresistible to birds,that quickly disperse the seeds.
The Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) is a common plant in Singapore.It has beautiful flowers with five petals in dark purple to pinkish that last only one day.The flowers open after sunrise and close the same day.Fruits are favourites among birds that assist in dispersing the seeds.The plant is the host for caterpillars of butterflies such as the Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) and the Grey Count (Tanaecia lepidea).
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