coastal plants
Mempari
Pongamia pinnata

Family
Fabaceae
updated Nov 10
Where seen? This beautiful tree was formerly common on the coast including Changi, Siglap, Jurong and Pulau Ubin. Elsewhere, the tree is found in non-swampy beaches and occasionally on the landward side of mangroves. It is also found in sandy or rocky coasts of Malaya. It is now planted in some of our beach parks and as a roadside tree.

Features: The tree grows to 6-15m tall. The compound leaves appear in two rows, each heart-shaped leaflet is shiny, dark green and thinly leathery. The flowers look like those of bean plants, and are lilac, appearing in bunches on a stalk. Tiny insects seem attracted to the flowers. Fruits are flat bean-like pods that are somewhat oval with a little beak at the tip, appearing in bunches. Each pod contains one seed.

Human uses: The leaves are fed to livestock. The bark is used to make string and rope. Although the seeds are poisonous, an oil extracted from them (called Pongamol or hongay oil) is used for lighting, to manufacture soap and candles, and in medicinal uses. The roots and seeds are used as a fish poison in Australia and Indonesia. Various parts of the trees are also used in traditional medicine.. According to Tomlinson and Giesen, the tree is often planted as a shade tree along roads, but Corners says it is rarely planted in Malaya.

Status and threats: This tree is listed as 'Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore.


Tree planted in a park.
Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09

Changi, Apr 09


Changi, May 09

Changi, May 09

Wild tree on coastal cliff.
Changi, May 09


Chek Jawa, Aug 09

Chek Jawa, Aug 09

Possibly planted, not sure.
Chek Jawa, Aug 09


Planted tree.
East Coast Park, Jul 10

Flowers.

Flowers.

Mempari on Singapore shores

Photos of Mempari for free download from wildsingapore flickr

Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map

Links

  • Pongamia pinnata on Total Vascular Flora of Singapore Online: photos and fact sheet.
  • Giesen, Wim and Stephan Wulffraat, Max Zieren and Liesbeth Scholten. 2006. Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia (PDF online downloadable). RAP publication 2006/07 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok.

References

  • Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan. 1990, The Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press. 222 pp.
  • Wee Yeow Chin. 1992. A Guide to Medicinal Plants. The Singapore Science Centre. 160pp
  • Tee Swee Ping and Wee Mei Lynn (eds). 2001. Trees of our Garden City. National Parks Board. 202 pp.
  • Corners, E. J. H., 1997. Wayside Trees of Malaya: in two volumes<. Fourth edition, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-476 pp, plates 1-38; volume 2: 477-861 pp., plates 139-236.
  • Davison, G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
  • Burkill, I. H., 1993. A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. 3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
www.flickr.com
FREE photos of coastal plants. Make your own badge here.
links | references | about | email Ria
Spot errors? Have a question? Want to share your sightings? email Ria I'll be glad to hear from you!
wildfactsheets website©ria tan 2008