Plants in Tropical Cities

Abstract

The Definitive Guide for Plants in Singapore and the neighbouring countries.
With close to 2800 plants featured, we hope that this book will help everyone to appreciate all the plants around us in our daily lives. Nineteenth palettes or likely scenarios/situations (e.g. roadside plants, green roofs, green walls, epiphytic plants, aquatic plants, seashore planting, school gardens, mangroves, plants to attract butterflies, fragrant plants) were prepared that will be helpful for anyone embarking on any plant-related development projects or simply as a hobby. Not forgetting the scientific researchers and the graduate students for their plant identification needs, we put in as many botanical details as possible for each species, within the 1000 page limit! Additionally, an Index of Genus names for quick reference was also included at the back of the book.
The "A to Z" listing of plants gave us a chance to feature 26 photos, each of which is the representative" for each alphabet (based on the scientific name). Whenever possible, native species (to our Malesian region) and various plant functional groups (e.g. aquatic plants, epiphytes, mangroves, climbers) were featured throughout the book in our bid to promote better understanding of plant adaptations and also to protect our unique regional plant biodiversity. Plants in Tropical Cities managed to feature two-thirds of Singapore’s flora (ca 2800, including 650 native species; Singapore has ca 4100, with 2100 natives; exotics are ever increasing with new plant imports).

Full text

a touche design production @ 6659 1876
Uvaria grandiora
in
Tropical
Cities
in Tropical Cities
1st
Edition
Uvaria Tide
Email: uvaria@hotmail.com | Contact: +65 9783 4814

Boo Chih Min is passionate about plants! She
studied botany at the National University of Singapore
and has a keen interest in native and exotic plants of
Singapore and the South-East Asian region. She has
previously worked at the National Parks Board where
she wrote the 1001 Garden Plants of Singapore which
greatly improved accessibility of plant information to
many nurseries, researchers, schools, governmental
entities, and the general public. Her interests in the
other aspect of plants, such as ecology, conservation
and propagation has led to the set up of her current
company, Uvaria Tide, which specializes in providing
professional services for oristic survey, plant
selection, plant supply and science-based consultancy
for sustainable and ecologically-orientated multi-
disciplinary projects: mangrove restoration, rainforest
restoration, vertical greenery, rooftop greenery,
greening of waterways, oating wetlands and the use
of native plants in urban landscapes and forested areas.
Email: uvaria@hotmail.com
Jean W. H. Yong (John) nds bio-inspiration
in plant diversity and adaptations! He is an Associate
Professor at the Singapore University of Technology
and Design and runs the Green Solutions Laboratory.
John studied botany at the National University of
Singapore and later, biochemistry and physiology at the
Australian National University. He has written numerous
scientic papers as well as several plant-science books
such as The Physiology of Orchids in relation to the
Industry and A Selection of Plants for Greening of
Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics that greatly
improved the availability of tropical plant scientic
information to researchers, institutions, and the plant
industry sectors.
Email: jwhyong@gmail.com
Sharon Y. J. Chew graduated from University of
Queensland (Applied Science, major in Plants). Prior to that,
she studied Horticulture and Landscape Management at
Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She has a keen interest in turfgrass
management. She has previously worked at the Orchid
Country Club, a golf club where she managed the entire
golf course and its associated landscaping needs. At the
Singapore University of Technology and Design, Sharon
manages several environmental science research projects
such as the cleansing of canal waters using a selection of
aquatic plants and developing the greening initiatives for
Jurong island.
Email: sharonjing22@gmail.com
Cycads
875
Palms
876
Ferns and
Fern Allies
880
Climbers
884
Trees
894
Ground
Covers
901
Hedges
908
Plants that
Attract
Buttery
911
Plants that
Attract
Birds
917
Indoor
Plants
922
Aquatic
Plants
930
Drought
Tolerant
Plants
936
Fragrant
Plants
944
Seaside
Plants
953
Roadside
Plants
960
Plants for
Green
Roof
Planting
968
Plants
for the
Greening
of Vertical
Wall
971
Epiphytes
975
Mangrove
and
Mangrove
Associates
979
Quick Resource to the
19 Categories of Plant
Grouping / Applications
Pellicieria rhizophorae
(Tea Mangrove)

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
• I
ISBN 978-981-08-8071-2
Copyright © C. M. Boo, Sharon Y. J. Chew, Jean W. H. Yong, 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of
the copyright owner.
Boo Chih Min
Sharon Y. J. Chew
Jean W. H. Yong
1st
Edition
in Tropical Cities

II •
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Content
Acknowledgements III
How to use this book? IV
Key to Icons VI
Preface VIII
N 561
O 575
P 593
Q 681
R 683
S 705
T 785
U 831
V 839
W 851
X 857
Y 865
Z 867
A 1
B 91
C 127
D 251
E 299
F 335
G 361
H 391
I 427
J 447
K 457
L 469
M 507
Index to categories
Cycads
875
Palms
876
Ferns and Fern Allies
880
Climbers
884
Trees
894
Ground Covers
901
Hedges
908
Plants that Attract Buttery
911
Plants that Attract Birds
917
Indoor Plants
922
Aquatic Plants
930
Drought Tolerant Plants
936
Fragrant Plants
944
Seaside Plants
953
Roadside Plants
960
Plants for Green
Roof Planting
968
Plants for the Greening of
Vertical Wall
971
Epiphytes
975
Mangrove and Mangrove
Associates
979
Hibiscus sp.

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
• III
Acknowledgements
This book was produced with the objective to enhance the level
of awareness and interest in tropical plant species amongst the
general public, as well as to raise the standard of horticultural and
landscaping industry in tropical cities to a greater height.
We would like to thank the following colleagues and friends who
have rendered their support to make this book possible:-
Mr. Ali Ibrahim Ms. Anne Ng
Ms. Chew Ping Ting Mr. Heng Ming Yuan
Ms. Ng Yan Fei Ms. Ng Yok Lan
Dr. Sheue Chiou Rong Dr. Tan Swee Ngin
Ms. Wong Wei San
This book will not be comprehensive without the additional high-
quality photos to illustrate certain plant species. We would like to
express our heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals for the
contribution of photographs:-
Mr. Chua Jit Chen Mr. Derek Liew
Mr. Derek Yap Mr. Ron Yeo
Dr. S. Chin Wong Mr. Saifudin Suran
Mr. Teo Nam Siang
We would also like to express our appreciation to many individuals
and organizations who have allowed us to take photographs
of their plants and gardens or render their help in one way or
another.
Special appreciation to David Yeap and Alex Toh of Touche
Design for their innovative and contemporary design in making this
book attractive and functional.
Last but not least, we would like to thank our families for their
patient support and encouragement.
Commelina sp.

IV •
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
‘Plants in Tropical Cities” is a pictorial reference to the vast
selection of plants found in tropical cities. This book serves as
a guide for horticulturists, landscapers and researchers in plant
identication.
The main section of the book provides botanical information
of the plant species using photos that illustrate their various
morphological features. The plant species are arranged in
alphabetical order according to their scientic name. Information
pertaining to the individual species includes the Scientic Name,
Family, Common Name and possible Synonym. Other useful
botanical information and plant cultural needs are provided using
various pictorial icons.
Annonaceae
Red Hot Poker, 山椒子ˎ 山椒ˎ
大花紫玉盘
Unona grandiora, U. setigera,
Uvaria purpurea, U. platypetala,
U. rhodantha, U. rufa, U. setigera
Uvaria grandiora
How to use this book?

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
• V
The scientic names (also known as the botanical name) of
plants are derived using the binomial nomenclature system. This
formal system of naming plants gives each plant species a name
that composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical
forms. Taking the example of Uvaria grandiora, Uvaria is the
genus and grandiora is the specic epithet. Together, they form
the scientic name for the species Uvaria grandiora. The scientic
name is used internationally for plant identication. Conversely, the
use of common names may be ambiguous as they vary between
regions and two or more unrelated plants may also share the same
common name.
Pictorial icons are used to provide our readers with useful biological
information about the species such as the preferred growth habitats
and potential horticultural application. Full description of the
symbols is provided on page VI.
The second section comprises of horticultural palettes for 19
different plant characteristics and various landscaping situations or
applications.
Examples:
Ferns and Fern Allies
Plants for the Greening of Vertical Walls
One has to consider many factors before selecting plants for
various landscapes and gardens. This section aimed to serve as a
quick resource for the user. As plants are versatile organisms with
adaptations to survive in a few types of habitats, certain species
of plants could fall under more than one group.

VI •
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Plant Habits
T
Trees — Plants which
usually grow more than 3
metres in height and 10
centimetres in trunk
diameter.
S
Shrub — Plants with
multiple stems and shorter
in height, usually under 5 m.
Cl
Climbers — Plants with soft,
at or round stems with a
small diameter, which
enable them to creep
upwards along the trunk/
branches of trees or any
other supporting structures.
F
Ferns — Plants that do not
bear owers and thus
produce no fruits or seeds;
reproduce by spores
instead.
P
Palms — Plants with large,
palmately or pinnately
compound, evergreen
leaves spirally arranged at
the top of an unbranched
trunk.
Cy
Cycads – Palm-like plants
with stout, woody trunk and
a crown of hard and stiff
evergreen leaves.
Plant Care
Requirements
Prefers
full-shade
condition
Prefers
semi-shade
condition
Prefers full-sun
condition
Requires
occasional
spraying
Requires little
water for
maintenance
Requires
moderate
watering for
maintenance
Requires lots of
water for
maintenance
and to be given
on a regular
basis
Key to Symbols
Barringtonia sp.

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
• VII
Plant Use/Characteristics
Tropical natives — Plants which
thrive well in the tropics, where the
climate is warm and generally moist
all year round. These plants are
found in Singapore and the
neighbouring countries.
Suitable for roadside planting
— Trees or palms which require
little maintenance are suitable for
roadside planting. Generally, larger
trees and palms are planted along
main roads, whereas smaller trees
and palms are planted along minor
roads.
Suitable for seaside planting
— These plants tend to be tolerant
of salt-sprays and the periodic
strong coastal winds. Some may
have varying degree of salt-
tolerance to sea water.
Aquatic plants — Plants which are
adapted to live in an aquatic
environment.
Drought tolerant plants — Also
known as xerophytes with high
water-use efciency. These plants
are either morphologically or
physiologically (or both) adapted to
periodic water decit.
Indoor
Plants
Herbs
& Spices
Ornamental
foliage
Ornamental
owers
Attracts
birds
Attracts
butteries

VIII •
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Preface
The use of plants in landscaping goes
back a long way since 5000 years ago.
In ancient civilisations, the choice of
plants used for landscaping purposes
may take into consideration of their
botanical, cultural or mythological
signicance. During the mid-20th
century and especially in urban cities,
plants were primarily grown for simple
aesthetic purposes within a man-made
environment.
There are many avenues for using plants
in our contemporary living environment.
Plants can be used simply to form
canopies that provide shade for any
desired place, such as those planted
along the road sides and in the parks.
Plants are also grown to form “green”
screens which block off unsightly views
from an aesthetic perspective. The variety
and availability of plants that can be used
for any landscaping activity is indeed
unlimited and this is especially true for
the warmer tropical and sub-tropical
cities. At present, a broad assortment of
plant species is used to meet the ever
increasing demand of compatible planting
materials for urban landscapes and
recreational areas.
Advancement made in the elds of
horticulture and plant sciences had helped
us to better understand the immense
potential of using plants to improve the
urban environment in which we live
in. Within this context, plants are no
longer cultivated solely for food, shade
or aesthetic purposes but for the added
and often unseen “Ecological services”
they provide. Apart from adding colours
onto the seemingly boring concrete
buildings, these plants are able to reduce
the negative effects of our contemporary
built environment. For example, recent
studies have shown that green roofs and
green walls can reduce the heat entering
and “trapped” within the buildings. Many
urban-dwellers also choose to grow
potted plants indoor over articial plants,
which can improve the air quality of their
homes and ofces.
Plants also play a pivotal role in many
Water-sensitive Urban Design, where
landscaping practices and selected plants
are carefully incorporated within modern
civil engineering works in order to reduce
ooding and even improving the water
quality of the associated waterways and
waterbodies. With the increasing desire
among urban dwellers to have more
greenery within the built environment,
city planners are increasingly naturalizing
former concrete canals with suitable
plants to re-create natural Waterscapes in
a bid to improve the livability of the area
for the people
With an appropriate selection of
plants from the ecological perspective,
horticultural landscaping will help to
re-introduce biodiversity back to the built
environment by restoring the natural
habitats that were previously lost as a
result of urbanisation. As such, the role
of plant introduction in any urban setting
has gradually evolved over the years,
Acer sp.

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
• IX
from its simple aesthetic purpose and
towards improving the livability of the built
environment using essentially the intrinsic
biological properties of plants.
With the intention to conserve and
restore the dwindling biological
diversity and natural heritage within
the built environment, suitable plant
species, especially native or indigenous
species, can be re-introduced back
into cities through the process of urban
landscaping. The planting of native plants
can restore the natural biodiversity and
heritage of any given area by attracting
some previously lost fauna.
In order to enjoy the beauty and multiple
benets of what plants can provide, it is
important to rst understand the biological
features of these plants, and their basic
growth requirements and compatibility
with the tropical environment. This
includes understanding the interactions
between the plant species and the other
organisms of the ecosystem (e.g. a
legume plant and its symbiotic bacteria
Rhizobium in the root nodules; potential
pollinator of a fruit tree), as well as the
inuence of environmental factors on
the growth of these plants. Therefore,
having good horticultural and scientic
understanding of the selected plants will
provide landscapers and researchers with
the necessary knowledge to choose the
appropriate plants for their site of interest.
Plants in Tropical Cities aims to be a
pictorial reference to the vast selection
of plants found in many tropical and
even sub-tropical cities. This book
serves as a quick and easy-to-use
guide for horticulturists, landscapers
and researchers in plant identication.
The rst part of the book categorises the
plants in alphabetical order according to
their scientic name. In this part of the
book, photos describing the plants will
be shown to facilitate quick and reliable
identication purpose. Each plant will then
be further classied, in accordance to its

X •
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
probable usage, in the later sections. The
second segment contains 19 arbitrary
growth habitat categories, with some brief
descriptions for each growth habitat and
their potential horticultural application.
Photographs and iconic labels (e.g.,
sun-loving; low watering frequency) are
used to describe each plant species
and their basic growth preferences. It is
noteworthy that certain species of plants
can be classied under more than one
group as the characteristics of plants are
usually not “black and white” per se, and
may be variable over a typical biological
continuum.
As quoted from Baba Dioum, a well-
known Senegalese conservationist:
“In the end, we will conserve only what
we love, we will love only what we
understand and we will understand only
what we are taught.”
We sincerely hope that this book can
increase the awareness,understanding
and appreciation of tropical city plants.
With greater and in-depth understanding
of tropical plants and their growth habits,
appropriate choice of plants can then be
made for landscaping or any other activity
involving plant selection leading to plant
introduction on sites. From a broader
perspective, the continual selection,
introduction and integration of ecologically
compatible plants into urban greenery is
the most ideal approach to improve the
livability of our cities while restoring and
conserving our natural heritage and living
environment in tropical cities.
Begonia sp.

Acanthus ilicifolius

2 •
A
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Malvaceae
Lady’s-Finger, Okra, Gumbo, Bendi,
咖啡黄葵ˎ 黄苏葵ˎ 黄秋葵
Hibiscus esculentus
Malvaceae
Devil’s Cotton, Indian Hemp, 昂天莲
Malvaceae
Tuberose Mallow, 箭叶秋葵 Hibiscus sagittifolius
Abelmoschus esculentus
Abelmoschus sagittifolius
Abroma augusta

Bixa orellana

126 •
B
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Arecaceae
Butià, Wine Palm, Jelly Palm,
Pindo Palm, 冻子椰子
Butia bonnettii, Cocos capitata
Sterculiaceae
Malpighiaceae
Nance, Savanna Serrette,
Golden Spoon, 比尔松尼木属乔木
Malpighia crassifolia
Butia capitata
Byrsonima crassifolia
Byttneria maingayi

Cerbera manghas

250 •
C
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Araceae
Arbi
Arecaceae
Sealing-Wax Palm, Pinang Rajah,
Maharajah Palm, Lipstick Palm,
Red Sealing Wax, 印章棕
Cyrtostachys lakka
Araceae
Swamp Taro, Giant Swamp Taro
Cyrtosperma johnstonii
Cyrtosperma merkusii
Cyrtostachys renda

Delonix regia

298 •
D
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Arecaceae
Yellow Cane Palm, Golden Cane Palm,
Buttery Palm, Golden Fruited Palm,
Madagascar Palm, Yellow Palm, Golden
Cane Palm, Pinang Kuning, Bamboo Palm,
Yellow Areca Palm, 散尾葵
ˎ
黄椰子
Chrysalidocarpus baronii var. littorallis,
C. glaucescens, C. lutescens
Meliaceae
Stem Dysoxylon
Arecaceae
Malagasy Palm, Buttery Palm, Lucuba
Palm, Mahajanga Palm, Farihazo,
Hirihiry, Kizohazo, 马达加斯加椰子
Chrysalidocarpus lucubensis,
C. madagascariensis, C. oleraceus
Dypsis lutescens
Dypsis madagascariensis
Dysoxylum cauliorum

Euphorbia sp.

334 •
E
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Excoecaria cochinchinensis
Euphorbiaceae
Blind-Your-Eyes, Buta-Buta, Bebuta, Milky Mangrove, 海漆
Excoecaria agallocha
Excoecaria
cochinchinensis
’Firestorm’
Euphorbiaceae
Buta-Buta, Bebuta, Daun Sambang,
Daging, 红背桂ˎ 青紫木
Excoecaria bicolor

Fagraea fragrans

360 •
F
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Onagraceae
Ladies’ Eardrop, 倒挂金钟
Agavaceae
Giant False Agave, 黄纹万年麻 Furcraea gigantea ‘Striata’
Furcraea foetida ‘Striata’
Fuchsia Hybrids
Annonaceae
Wedding Canange
Friesodielsia desmoides

Grammatophyllum speciosum

390 •
G
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Asteraceae
Longevity Spinach, Sambung Nyawa, Green Harmony,
尖尾凤
Gynura procumbens
Asteraceae
紫绒草
Gynura pseudochina var. hispida

Helianthus annuus

426 •
H
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Arecaceae
Spindle Palm, Palmiste Marron
Lamiaceae
Knobweed
Cyperaceae
割鸡芒
Hypolytrum formosanum, H. latifolium,
Schoenus nemorum
Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
Hypolytrum nemorum
Hyptis capitata

Ixora congesta

446 •
I
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Ixora Cultivars
Ixora ‘Super Orange’
Ixora ‘Light Pink’
Ixora ‘Super Pink’
Ixora Hybrid Ixora ‘Siam Ribbon’
Ixora ‘Super King’
Rubiaceae

Jatropha gossypifolia

448 •
J
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Bignoniaceae
Jacaranda, Green Ebony,
Jambol Merah, Jambul Merak, 蓝花楹
Bignonia licifolia, Jacaranda licifolia,
J. rhombifolia
Rubiaceae
Merbuluh Mereh, Selimbar, Selumar
Jacaranda obtusifolia
Jackiopsis ornata

Knema globularia

458 •
K
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Zingiberaceae
Limestone Kaempferia, 紫花山柰 Kaempferia pulchra
Kaempferia elegans
Zingiberaceae
Cekur, Kencur, Sand Ginger, Lesser
Galangale, Resurrection Lily,
沙姜 (Rhizome), 山奈 (Whole Plant)
Kaempferia galanga

Lepironia articulata

470 •
L
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Primulaceae
Akar Fatimah, Kunci Fatimah, Rumput Siti Fatimah, Selusoh Fatimah,
Akar Kecil Fatimah, Kacip Fatimah, Pokok Pinggan, Mata Pelandok Rimba,
卡西法蒂玛
Labisia pumila
Fabaceae
Hyacinth Bean,Lablab Bean, 扁豆
Dolichos lablab, D. purpureus, Lablab
niger, L. lablab, L. vulgaris, Vigna
aristata
Lablab purpureus
Labisia pumila
Cultivar (Pink Leaf)

Melaleuca cajuputi

508 •
M
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Euphorbiaceae
Giant Mahang Macaranga incisa, M. megalophylla
Euphorbiaceae
Macaranga populifolia
Macaranga gigantea
Macaranga conifera
Euphorbiaceae
Mahang Plant, Common Mahang Macaranga tenuifolia
Macaranga bancana

Nymphaea cultivar

562 •
N
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Berberidaceae
Heavenly Bamboo, Sacred Bamboo, Nandina, 南天竹ˎ 天竺ˎ 兰竹
Rubiaceae
Bangkal, Leichhardt Tree, 东方鸟檀
Amaryllidaceae
Daffodil, 水仙
Nandina domesticax
Nauclea orientalis
Narcissus Species

Oryza sativa

576 •
O
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Olacaceae
Petaling, Tamggal
Ochanostachys bancana, Petalinia
bancana
Ochanostachys amentacea
Ochnaceae
Vietnamese Mickey Mouse Plant,
金莲木
Elaeocarpus integerrimus, Ochna
andamanica, O. wallichii, O. harmandii
Ochna integerrima
Ochnaceae
Mickey Mouse Plant, 米老鼠花ˎ 桂叶黃梅
Ochna kirkii

Passiora sp.

594 •
P
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Malvaceae
Guiana Chestnut, Provision Tree,
Shaving-Brush Tree, Malabar
Chestnut, Water Chestnut, Saba Nut,
Fortune Tree, Money Tree, Oje,
瓜栗ˎ 马拉巴栗ˎ 发财树
Bombax aquaticum, B. macrocarpum,
Carolinea macrocarpa, Pachira
macrocarpa
Malvaceae
French Peanut, Guinea Peanut,
Money Tree, Lucky Tree
Bombacopsis glabra
Pachira aquatica
Pachira glabra

Quisqualis indica

682 •
Q
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Simaroubaceae
Bitter-Wood, Bitterwood, Surinam Quassia, 括矢亚
Combretaceae
Rangoon Creeper, Drunken Sailor,
Akar Dani, Akar Suloh, Dani,
Ara Dani, Akar Pontianak,
Red Jasmine, 使君子
Combretum indicum, Kleinia
quadricolor, Mekistus sinensis,
Ourouparia enormis, Quisqualis glabra,
Q. grandiora, Q. indica var. oxypetala,
Q. indica var. villosa, Q. longiora,
Q. loureiroi, Q. obovata, Q. pubescens,
Q. sinensis, Q. spinosa, Q. villosa
Simaroubaceae
Samadera indica, S. madagascariensis, S. tetrapetala
Quassia amara
Quisqualis indica
Quassia indica
(Single Petal)

Rhizophora stylosa

684 •
R
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Brassicaceae
Radish, 萝卜
Raphanus sativus
Bignoniaceae
Dwarf Tree Jasmine, Peep Thong
Primulaceae
Kicar, Kicar-Kicar Myrsine porteriana
Radermachera ‘Kunming’
Rapanea porteriana

Senna alata

706 •
S
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Arecaceae
Blue Palmetto, Cabbage Palmetto,
Cabbage Tree, Common Palmetto,
菜棕
Sabal jamesiana, S. parviora,
S. viatoris
Poaceae
African Fodder Cane, Asian Fodder
Cane, Fodder Cane, Kans Grass,
Wild Sugarcane, 甜根子草
Imperata spontanea, Saccharum
canaliculatum, S. propinquum,
S. semidecumbens
Poaceae
Sugarcane, Tebu, 甘蔗
Sabal palmetto
Saccharum spontaneum
Saccharum ofcinarum

Tunera subulata

786 •
T
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Bignoniaceae
Paraguayan Silver Trumpet Tree,
Silver Trumpet Tree,Tree of Gold,
银鳞风铃木
Tabebuia argentea
Bignoniaceae
Gold Trumpet Tree, Cortez,
Corteza,Guayacan, Piuva
Tabebuia hypodidiction, T.
neochrysantha, Tecoma heterotricha,
T. ochracea
Bignoniaceae
Roble Cimarron, 血红风铃木
Bignonia haemantha, Tecoma
haemantha, Spathodea portoricensis
Tabebuia aurea
Tabebuia ochracea
Tabebuia haemantha

Utricularia aurea

832 •
U
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Rubiaceae
叶儿茶钩藤
Pedialiaceae
Mouse Trap Tree, Succulent Sesame,
黄花胡麻
Harpagophytum grandidieri
Rubiaceae
Uncaria cordata
Uncaria longiora var. pteropoda
Uncarina grandidieri

Victoria amazonica

840 •
V
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Apocynaceae
Bread Flower, 纽子花
Orchidaceae
Singapore Orchid, 卓锦万黛兰
Vallaris glabra
Vanda ‘Miss Joaquim’

Wodyetia bifurcata

852 •
W
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Arecaceae
Wallich Palm, 二列瓦理棕
Arecaceae
Mexican Fan Palm, Washington Palm, 墨西哥扇形棕榈,ˎ 华盛顿葵
Malvaceae
Sleepy Morning, 蛇婆子ˎ 和他草
Waltheria americana, W. elliptica
Wallichia disticha
Waltheria indica
Washingtonia robusta

Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

858 •
X
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Polygalaceae
Xanthophyllum afne
Polygalaceae
Minyak Berok, Nyalin
Polygalaceae
Kiu, Nyalin
Xanthophyllum avescens
Xanthophyllum obscurum
Xanthophyllum vitellinum

Yucca aloifolia

866 •
Y
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Youngia japonica
Asparagaceae
Spanish Dagger, Palm Lily, Mound-Lily Yucca, 凤尾兰
Asparagaceae
Spanish Bayonet, Dagger Plant, 芦荟叶丝兰ˎ 千寿兰
Yucca aloifolia
Yucca gloriosa
(Variegated)
Asteraceae
Oriental Hawksbeard, Asiatic Hawksbeard, 黄鹌菜

Zingiber ottensii

868 •
Z
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Zamiaceae
Fernleaf Cycad, 费切尔泽米 Zamia forsteri, Zamia tenuifolia
Zamiaceae
Florida Arrowroot, Coontie Zamia integrifolia
Zamiaceae
Cardboard Palm, Sago Cycas, 秕鳞壮泽米
Zamia scheri
Zamia furfuracea
Zamia pumila

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
•
Plant Categories
• 875
Cycads
Cycads (Cycadaceae) are gymnosperms as they bear seeds that are
not enclosed by a structure. Although these plants resemble palms,
both families of plants are taxonomically unrelated. Morphologically
similar to certain palm species, cycads generally have cylindrical
trunks that do not branch. Pinnate leaves will form a crown on the top
of the trunk as part of the vegetative growth cycle. Cycads are either
male or female and they bear reproductive cones in the centre of the
crown. Unlike palms, cycads generally grow at a slower rate and they
have a longer life span. Cycads are popular plants for landscaping
purposes due to their interesting and unique features and low
maintenance requirement.
Ceratozamia
robusta
174
Cycas clivicola
241
Cycas edentata
242
Cycas revoluta
242
Dioon edule
270
Dioon spinulosum
271
Macrozamia
moorei
513
Zamia scheri
868
Zamia furfuracea
868
Zamia pumila
868

876
•
Plant Categories
•
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Palms
Palms (Arecaceae) is a family of plants which are generally
recognised for their large, palmately (fan-shaped) or pinnately
(feather-shaped) compound, evergreen leaves that are spirally
arranged at the top of an unbranched trunk. A palm tree can
either grow as a single trunk ending with a crown of leaves, or in
clusters where shoots emerge from axillary buds near the base
of the trunk resulting in clustering. Palms thrive well in tropical,
sub-tropical and warm temperate climates. In many cities, palms
are widely used in landscaping as these plants are considered
iconic plants and are often selected as the main aesthetic feature
of a place/locality.
Acoelorraphe
wrightii
10
Adonidia merrillii
17
Aiphanes horrida
29
Archontophoenix
alexandrae
68
Areca catechu
70
Areca triandra
71
Areca vestiaria
71
Arenga
hookeriana
71
Arenga pinnata
72
Arenga
undulatifolia
72
Arenga
westerhoutii
72
Asterogyne
martiana
Beccariophoenix
madagascariensis
105
Bentinckia
nicobarica
107
Bismarckia nobilis
109
Bismarckia nobilis
‘Silver’
109
Borassodendron
machadonis
113
Borassus
abellifer
113
Butia capitata
126
Calyptrocalyx
micholitzii
148
Carpentaria
acuminata
161

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
•
Plant Categories
• 943
Drought Tolerant Plants
Uncarina
grandidieri
832
Uvaria grandiora
838
Vanilla planifolia
841
Vanilla planifolia
‘Variegata’
841
Vitex trifolia
846 – 847
Washingtonia
robusta
852
Xanthorrhoea
johnsonii
859
Yucca aloifolia
866
Yucca aloifolia
(Variegated)
866
Yucca gloriosa
866
Ziziphus
mauritiana
873
Ziziphus
nummularia
873
Zornia diphylla
874
Zoysia Species
874

944
•
Plant Categories
•
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Fragrant Plants
To further enhance the multiple roles of any gardens, fragrant plants
are introduced to give an additional dimension to our senses – smell!
Many fragrant plants are well known for their positive benets in
aromatherapy. Growing fragrant plants in gardens also improves the
biodiversity as the scent will attract more pollinators. Based on our
experiences, it is best to grow these plants at places where there is
minimal external wind movements in order to retain the fragrance
which are essentially natural chemicals secreted by the plants
Agelaea
borneensis
23
Aglaia
duperreana
24
Aglaia odorata
24
Allium tuberosum
33
Aloysia virgata
37
Alstonia
angustifolia
41
Alstonia
angustiloba
41
Alstonia scholaris
42
Alstonia
spathulata
42
Amorphophallus
atroviridis
47
Amorphophallus
paeoniifolius
47
Amorphophallus
titanum
47
Anaxagorea
javanica
50
Angelonia
angustifolia
52
Anisomeles
indica
53
Annona
cherimola
54
Anredera
cordifolia
55
Antigonon
leptopus
60
Arachnotryx
leucophylla
65
Areca triandra
71
Aristolochia
grandiora
74

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
•
Plant Categories
• 967
Roadside Plants
Syzygium
syzygioides
783
Syzygium
zeylanicum
784
Tabebuia aurea
786
Tabebuia pallida
787
Tabebuia rosea
787
Talipariti tiliaceum
794
Tamarindus
indica
795
Tecoma stans
798
Tectona grandis
799
Terminalia brassii
799
Terminalia
calamansanai
800
Terminalia
catappa
800
Terminalia
mantaly
801
Terminalia
mantaly ‘Tricolor’
801
Tristaniopsis
obovata
827
Tristaniopsis
whiteana
827
Washingtonia
robusta
852
Wodyetia
bifurcata
854
Xanthostemon
chrysanthus
860
Xanthostemon
Species (Orange
Flower)
861
Xanthostemon
Species (Pink
Flower)
861
Xanthostemon
youngii
861

968
•
Plant Categories
•
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Plants for Green Roof Planting
A green roof is generally dened as the cultivation of plants on growth
medium over a waterproof membrane on buildings. In many cities,
green roofs are popular and are widely installed on many buildings
due to the many positive attributes associated with improving the
liveability of any urban environment. The availability of water on the
roof top will determine the type of plants chosen for any green roof
planting exercise. If irrigation system is absent, plants which employ
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) mode of photosynthesis are
more suitable as they tend to use much less water, i.e., have higher
water use efciency. More variety of plants can be grown on green
roofs if a well-established irrigation system is available.
Agave
angustifolia
‘Marginata’
22
Agave
desmettiana
22
Agave potatorum
22
Agave tequilana
23
Alternanthera
coidea
43
Alternanthera
sessilis
44
Alternanthera
sessilis ‘Red’
44
Alysicarpus
vaginalis
44
Arachis pintoi
65
Arachis pintoi
cultivar orange
owers
65
Asparagus
densiorus
‘Sprengeri’
81
Axonopus
compressus
89
Axonopus
compressus
‘Pearl Grass’
89
Beaucarnea
recurvata
104
Callisia repens
143
Carissa
macrocarpa
159
Carissa
macrocarpa
‘Nana’
159
Carissa
macrocarpa
(Variegated)
159
Carpobrotus
edulis
161
Chrysopogon
zizanioides
186
Codiaeum
variegatum
Cultivars
206

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
•
Plant Categories
• 979
Mangrove and Mangrove Associates
A mangrove area is typically characterised by muddy shores
of sheltered coasts and river estuaries which are subjected to
movements of tides and periodic overow of rivers. Hence the soil is
often waterlogged, anaerobic and they may have high salinity (may be
uctuating) and pH. Mangrove is a plant community which inhabit the
mangrove areas whereas mangrove associates may extend its habitat
colonisation further into terrestrial communities. Mangrove species
are well adapted to grow and thrive in such ecologically-challenging
environment with several unique biologically features which are not
present in mangrove associates. Many mangrove species develop
unique structures to help them to survive in this coastal environment
such as breathing roots (pneumatophores) and their seeds tend
to germinate while attached to the parent plant (vivipary). Some
mangrove plants have succulent leaves that contain specialized
glands which secrete excess salt. It is important to recognise that
mangrove and mangrove associates can be planted for landscaping
purposes under certain unique circumstances or special requirements
for selected project sites.
Acanthus
ebracteatus
8
Acanthus
ebracteatus
(Variegated)
8
Acanthus
ilicifolius
8
Acanthus volubilis
9
Acrostichum
aureum
12
Acrostichum
speciosum
12
Aegiceras
corniculatum
19
Allophylus cobbe
34
Ardisia elliptica
69
Avicennia alba
87
Avicennia marina
88
Avicennia
rumphiana
88
Barringtonia
asiatica
97
Barringtonia
edulis
98
Barringtonia
racemosa
98
Brownlowia tersa
119
Bruguiera
cylindrica
120
Bruguiera
gymnorhiza
121
Bruguiera hainesii
121
Bruguiera
parviora
122
Caesalpinia crista
129

PLANTS in Tropical Cities
•
Plant Categories
• 981
Mangrove and Mangrove Associates
Pandanus
tectorius ‘Sanderi’
600
Pemphis acidula
610
Podocarpus
polystachyus
651
Planchonella
obovata
663
Rhizophora
apiculata
689
Rhizophora
mucronata
690
Rhizophora
stylosa
690
Scaevola taccada
718
Scyphiphora
hydrophylacea
728
Sonneratia alba
747
Sonneratia
apetala
748
Sonneratia
caseolaris
748
Sonneratia ovata
749
Talipariti tiliaceum
794
Talipariti tiliaceum
‘Dwarf’
794
Talipariti tiliaceum
‘Tricolor’
794
Talipariti tiliaceum
var. purpurascens
794
Terminalia
catappa
800
Thespesia
populnea
806
Xylocarpus
granatum
863
Xylocarpus
moluccensis
863
Xylocarpus
rumphii
864

982
•
inDeX
•
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
Abelmoschus 2
Aberia 285
Abroma 2
Abrus 3
Abutilon 3
Acacia 4, 300, 485,
569, 711
Acalypha 5, 6, 7
Acanthopanax 310
Acanthus 1, 8, 9
Acapillaris 76
Acer VIII, 9
Acetosella 592, 591
Achras 185, 522, 662,
663
Acmella 10
Acoelorraphe 10
Acokanthera 788
Acorus 11
Acrostichum 12, 644
Acrotrema 12
Actinodaphne 13
Actinophloeus 679
Actinoscirpus 13
Adansonia 14
Adelaster 356
Adenanthera 14, 337
Adenia 15
Adenium 15
Adenoropium 450
Adhatoda 528
Adiantum 505, 16
Adina 17
Adinandra 17
Adonidia 17
Adinootrys 140
Adipera 733
Aechmea 18, 19
Aegiceras 19
Aegiphila 603
Aeschynanthus 20
Aeschynomene 737
Afardisia 68
Afgekia 21
Agapanthus 21
Agathis 21
Agati 737
Agave 22
Agelaea 23
Ageratum 23, 24
Aglaia 24
Aglaonema 25, 26,
27, 28
Agrostis 318, 440
Agrostistachys 28
Aidia 28
Aiphanes 29
Ajania 29
Ajuga 29
Albizia 337, 711
Alcantarea 850
Alchornea 232
Aletris 288
Aleurites 30
Allamanda 30, 31, 32
Allium 33
Allophylus 34
Alocasia 34, 35, 36
Aloe 37
Alopecurus 611
Aloysia 37
Alphonsea 547
Alpinia 37, 38, 39,
40, 321
Alsodeia 694
Alstonia 41, 42, 296
Alternanthera 43, 44
Alysicarpus 44
Amaranthus 45
Ambaiba 169
Amerimnon 254
Amesiodendron 45
Amherstia 46
Amischotolype 46
Ammannia 46
Ammocallis 167
Amomum 872
Amoora 61
Amorphophallus 47
Ampelygonum 620
Ampelocissus 48
Anacardium 49
Ananas 49, 50
Anastrophu 604
Anaxagorea 50
Andira 51
Andrographis 51
Andropogon 185, 244,
440
Aneilema 554
Anemopaegma 51
Angelica 52
Angelonia 52
Angiopteris 53
Anisomeles 53
Anisophyllea 54
Annona 54, 55
Anoectochilus 55
Anredera 55
Anthactinia 15
Anthocephalus 564
Anthurium 56, 57
Antia 204
Antiaris 58
Antidesma 58, 59
Antigonon 60
Antrophyum 60
Aphanamixis 61
Aphelandra 61, 699
Aporosa 62, 63
Aporum 257
Aptenia 64
Aquilaria 64
Arachis 64, 65
Arachnotryx 65
Aralia 338
Aralidium 65
Araucaria 66
Archidendron 67
Archontophoenix 68
Archytaea 649
Ardisia 68, 69
Arduina 159
Areca 70, 71, 637
Arenga 71, 72
Arfeuillea 73
Argyreia 73, 763
Aristolochia 73, 74, 75
Arrabidaea 715
Artabotrys 75
Artanthe 638
Artemisia 76, 230
Arthrophyllum 77
Artocarpus 77, 78,
79, 603
Arum 47, 622, 624,
859
Arundina 79, 80
Arundo 80, 629
Asclepias 81, 147, 377
Asparagus 81, 82
Aspidistra 83
Aspidopterys 83
Aspidium 569
Asplenium 83, 84
Assa 802
Aster 772
Asterogyne 85
Asteromyrtus 85
Astyposanthes 769
Asystasia 85, 86
Ataccia 790
Atractocarpus 86
Averrhoa 87
Avicennia 87, 88
Axanthes 834
Axonopus 89
Azadirachta 90
Azolla 90
Azukia 845
Baccaurea 92
Bacopa 93
Baeckea 93
Baeobotrys 513
Baikiaea 94
Balanocarpus 564
Ballota 53
Balsamaria 145
Bambusa 94, 95
Baphia 96
Barleria 96, 97
Barringtonia VI, 97, 98
Basella 99
Bassia 513
Bauhinia 99, 100, 101,
102, 103, 104
Beaumontia 104, 105
Beccariophoenix 105
Begonia X, 106
Beilschmiedia 107
Belamcanda 439
Beloperone 455
Bentinckia 107
Berrya 107
Biasolettia 404
Bignonia 51, 448, 511,
523, 715, 786
Bihai 396, 400
Billbergia 109
Biota 646
Bismarckia 109
Bixa 91, 110
Blechnum 110
Bletia 79
Blighia 111
Blumea 111
Blumeodendron 112
Bobea 814
Boerhavia 112
Bombacopsis 594
Genus Name

990
•
inDeX
•
PLANTS in Tropical Cities
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General References

Boo Chih Min is passionate about plants! She
studied botany at the National University of Singapore
and has a keen interest in native and exotic plants of
Singapore and the South-East Asian region. She has
previously worked at the National Parks Board where
she wrote the 1001 Garden Plants of Singapore which
greatly improved accessibility of plant information to
many nurseries, researchers, schools, governmental
entities, and the general public. Her interests in the
other aspect of plants, such as ecology, conservation
and propagation has led to the set up of her current
company, Uvaria Tide, which specializes in providing
professional services for oristic survey, plant
selection, plant supply and science-based consultancy
for sustainable and ecologically-orientated multi-
disciplinary projects: mangrove restoration, rainforest
restoration, vertical greenery, rooftop greenery,
greening of waterways, oating wetlands and the use
of native plants in urban landscapes and forested areas.
Email: uvaria@hotmail.com
Jean W. H. Yong (John) nds bio-inspiration
in plant diversity and adaptations! He is an Associate
Professor at the Singapore University of Technology
and Design and runs the Green Solutions Laboratory.
John studied botany at the National University of
Singapore and later, biochemistry and physiology at the
Australian National University. He has written numerous
scientic papers as well as several plant-science books
such as The Physiology of Orchids in relation to the
Industry and A Selection of Plants for Greening of
Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics that greatly
improved the availability of tropical plant scientic
information to researchers, institutions, and the plant
industry sectors.
Email: jwhyong@gmail.com
Sharon Y. J. Chew graduated from University of
Queensland (Applied Science, major in Plants). Prior to that,
she studied Horticulture and Landscape Management at
Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She has a keen interest in turfgrass
management. She has previously worked at the Orchid
Country Club, a golf club where she managed the entire
golf course and its associated landscaping needs. At the
Singapore University of Technology and Design, Sharon
manages several environmental science research projects
such as the cleansing of canal waters using a selection of
aquatic plants and developing the greening initiatives for
Jurong island.
Email: sharonjing22@gmail.com
Cycads
875
Palms
876
Ferns and
Fern Allies
880
Climbers
884
Trees
894
Ground
Covers
901
Hedges
908
Plants that
Attract
Buttery
911
Plants that
Attract
Birds
917
Indoor
Plants
922
Aquatic
Plants
930
Drought
Tolerant
Plants
936
Fragrant
Plants
944
Seaside
Plants
953
Roadside
Plants
960
Plants for
Green
Roof
Planting
968
Plants
for the
Greening
of Vertical
Wall
971
Epiphytes
975
Mangrove
and
Mangrove
Associates
979
Quick Resource to the
19 Categories of Plant
Grouping / Applications
Pellicieria rhizophorae
(Tea Mangrove)

a touche design production @ 6659 1876
Uvaria grandiora
in
Tropical
Cities
in Tropical Cities
1st
Edition
Uvaria Tide
Email: uvaria@hotmail.com | Contact: +65 9783 4814