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| mangroves |
| Mentigi Pemphis acidula Family Lythraceae updated Jan 2013 Where seen? This rare tree is sometimes seen in our remote shores, on rocky cliffs or near mangroves where no other plants seem to be able to do well. Features: Small tree (7-10m tall), according to Tomlinson 'more usually a low shrub 1-2m tall'. Bark light grey to brown becoming deeply fissured with age and shedding in long curling strips. Young twigs angular, densely hairy becoming gnarled and twisted with age. Leaves small (1-3cm) thick fleshy, greyish green, both sides densely covered in stiff white hairs giving them a silky look. The leaves wither yellow. Flowers small (1cm) with six delicate white petals. It is said to be pollinated by bees. Fruit tiny spherical capsule (0.5cm), green ripening to red then brown, containing 20-30 flattened angular seeds. Corners says the plant 'is abundant where it grows' but is a 'very local tree' in Malaya's rocky and sandy coasts. It likes to grow on the detritus of small granite boulders and broken coral as well as exposed rocks in full sun just above the tide level but in reach of the spray. Corners says there 'used to be some wild plants at Changi in Singapore'. According to Hsuan Keng, it grows often partially submerged in the sea at high tide and was found on Changi and St. John's Island. According to Tomlinson, it is found 'in rocky foreshores and more exposed mangrove associations'. According to Burkill, 'the coast of the Malay Peninsula scarcely suits it and it has only been recorded in Singapore'. There was a 4m tall Mentigi tree at Changi but it was toppled in a storm in Nov 2006. Status and threats: It is listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Pulau Biola, Dec 09  Pulau Biola, Dec 09  Pulau Biola, Dec 09 |
 Pulau Biola, Dec 09 |
| Mentigi on Singapore shores |
| Photos of Mentigi for free download from wildsingapore flickr |
| Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map |
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