Myristicaceae family is represented in our Singapore forests by 5 genera: Endocomia, Gymnacranthera, Horsfieldia, Knema

and Myristica representing some 31 species. The trees are monopodal particularly when young though some lose this trait as they mature, have alternate arranged leaves and

Oriental Pied Hornbill in S. platycarpa

pink or red exudate.

 

The fruits are generally round to egg shaped and members of this family are fairly easy to recognize when fruiting.  In the absence of fruits (or flowers), the monopodal stem with wagon wheel branching is the important visual clue to recognizing a nutmeg tree.

 

The fruits of Nutmegs can be fairly large and the dihescent capsules will usually open in the tree offering the brightly coloured arilate seeds as enticement to the birds. The primary seed dispersal agents are larger birds with robust beaks such as pigeons and Hornbills which are known as primary seed dispersers for the nutmeg family.

 

The near extinction of Hornbills in Singapore has been cause for concern for the Nutmegs, with seed dispersal being left up to the secondary dispersal agents - the rodents (squirrels and rats).

 

Most of the Nutmeg species illustrated here have been provisionally identified mainly from vegetative characters. As fertile specimens are encountered some alterations may be required.

 

Medium to tall monopodal trees with wagon-wheel branching, red exudate, fruit egg-shaped , brown-scurfy with red aril deeply cut exposing the brown seed inside. The nerves are generally sunken on the topside of the leaves.