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plants text index | photo
index
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| coastal plants |
| Peria
laut Colubrina asiatica Family Rhamnaceae updated Nov 10 Where seen? This pretty climber with glossy green leaves, tiny star-shaped flowers and round fruits is sometimes seen on our shores. It was commonly seen along our coasts including Geyland and Changi. It is common on the Peninsula on both coasts and is also common in forested areas and wastelands and found on loose soil near the coast. It is also called Latherleaf as it produces a lather in water. Features: A climbing glossy shrub that normally grows up to 4m tall but in the presence of a support it may grow up to 6-7m. Branches are vine-like, climbing or drooping that can reach 10m in length. Leaves (4-9cm) thin, dark glossy green with a toothed margin, arranged alternately along the branches. Small star-like flowers (about 0.4cm) appear in clusters. Fruits are small capsules (about 1cm), green and fleshy, turning to dark brown with age. Each capsule contains three small, greyish seeds. The seeds are dispersed by water as well as birds. The plant germinates rapidly in full sun growing upwards where there is supporting vegetation, rooting where the stem falls back onto the groud and then growing upwards again. The stems resprout vigorously when cut or injured. As such, the plant may overgrow other shrubby vegetation on the coast. Human uses: According to Burkill, the bark contains saponins that lather in the water and is used as a soap. In Samoa it is used for bleaching and cleaning mats. The young leaves are "eaten with relish" in Ambon. According to Giesen, the leaves have the ability to produce foam in water and thus, have long been used as a substitute for soap in the rural areas in some countries. Leaves and fruits are used as fish poison. In the Maldives, leaves are used to alleviate inflammations and boils. In order to alleviate painful swellings, leaves are crushed and juice is rubbed on the affected body. Young stems are cut into pieces and boiled in water, which is drunk to alleviate stomach disorders. Medicinal oil is prepared from seeds along with other ingredients, which is used to treat rheumatism and numbness in adults and also in treating weak legs in children. |
 Pulau Semakau, Dec 08  Pulau Hantu, Apr 09  Pulau Hantu, Apr 09 |
 Pulau Hanu, Apr 09 |
 Pulau Hantu, Apr 09 |
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 Pulau Hanu, Apr 09 |
 Pulau Hantu, Apr 09 |
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 Pulau Semakau, Dec 08 |
 Pulau Hantu, Apr 09 |
 Pulau Hantu, Apr 09 |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11 |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11 |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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