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plants
text index | photo
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| Figs in general |
| Jejawi
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Malayan banyan Ficus microcarpa Family Moraceae updated Feb 11 Where seen? A fabulous specimen of this humungous tree grows next to the tower on the Chek Jawa boardwalk. The tower is in fact named after the tree! According to Hsuan Keng, they were formerly found in coastal and riverine habitats, but the stranglers became common on ornamental trees and forest margins in the water catchment area. According to Corners, the tree grows from rocky sea coasts to limestone hills but in Malaya it was mostly found along tidal river banks. Here, the trees form 'an impassable thicket' in the back mangroves. Sometimes confused with Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa. Features: A strangling fig that can grow into enormous trees. Young saplings often grow in cracks in old drains and walls and on delapidated buildings. They can grow into large trees with stout prop roots and a curtain of slender aerial roots. According to Corners, those growing on rocky shores which are constantly exposed to wind and salty spray are often "dwarfed into creeping bushes with gnarled branches, growing flat along the rocks". Whereas in town, the tree "gets out of hand and attacks many roadside trees" giving Fort Canning as an example. The oval leaves are small (5-7cm), smooth and leathery. The figs are round and small (about 1cm) and ripens dark pink to deep purple. Role in the habitat: A figging Jejawi attracts a whole range of creatures from fruit eating birds of all kinds to squirrels and long-tailed macaques. Human uses: According to Burkill, in India, various parts of the tree are used to treat wounds, bruises, headaches and other ailments. |
 The tall Jejawi next to Jejawi Tower. Chek Jawa, Oct 09 |
 Chek Jawa, Oct 09  |
 Chek Jawa, Oct 09 |
 Chek Jawa, Oct 09 |
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 On a natural cliff Lazarus Island, Feb 11 |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11  |
 On a natural cliff Sentosa, Apr 11 |
 Sentosa, Apr 11 
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Birds in a figging Jejawi
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
 Chek Jawa, Mar 10 |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.