Flora Singapura
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Syzygium papillosum
 
Family: 
Common Names: 
Stilted Eugenia (Kelat Jankang)
Status:
Native
Classification:  
Critically Endangered

Syzygium papillosum is a resident of the swamp forest and it is unlikely to be found outside this habitat. It produces buttresses and usually has stilt roots coming from the lower sections of the buttress and occasionally the trunk itself. Thin knee roots no more than 30cm high are occasionally found. The papery bark is bright orange and very striking with similar texture to the Paper Bark trees of Australia (Melaleuca genus) which are also members of the Myrtaceae family.  The short stemmed leaves are quite large and strongly ribbed as illustrated below. The leaf base is heart shaped, non-symmetric and clasps the twig upon which it grows. The orange flaky bark and the large leaves are a reliable identification character for this species.
 
Flowering for this species was observed in late January to Early February 2011 in swamp forest near Upper Seletar Reservoir. Small birds and butterflies were observed visiting the flowers and both are likely to be pollination agents for this species.
Buttress with stilt roots @ Upper Seletar
 
Another S. papillosum @ Upper Seletar



Strongly ribbed lamina
 
 Closeup of the orange papery bark.
Another example of stilt formation
 
An eager butterfly is attracted to the flowers 
Flowering twig @ Upper Seletar
Stamens and Style of the flower
 
Flowers go off-white after a while - like a bride past her use-by date.
Short Stem, leaf base clasps the twig.
 
Spent inflorescence.
 
Inflorescence with flower bud.


Stilt formation next to swamp stream - very soft ground.
 
Some S. papillosum trees produce knee roots like this.
 
A collection of fruits 2-2.5 cm size.
A fruit fished out of the swamp water.