2 October 2024	29 October 2024
Fig. 1: The same flower buds cluster of Cyclea laxiflora observed over time

Cyclea laxiflora is a species within the Menispermaceae family (moonseed family). According to the 2022 Singapore Flora Checklist, there are 12 recorded species from this family in Singapore. Of these, 11 species are native, with Tinospora crispa being the only exception. A recently published article in 2024 [1] updated the count to 14 species in Singapore. The difference compared to the 2022 Singapore Flora Checklist includes Pycnarrhena fasciculata [2], Tinospora krispura [3], and Tinospora singapura [3]. After reviewing the inflorescence images of Tinospora macrocarpa from Reuben Lim’s Flickr album, and the 2023 publication by Turner [3], I have corrected the images on my website previously labeled as Tinospora macrocarpa to Tinospora krispura. To date, I have successfully documented images of 8 of these species.

Fig. 2: A separate young flower buds cluster of Cyclea laxiflora spotted on 29 October

In 2012, I observed a Cyclea laxiflora climber, a relatively rare species, which had produced fruits. When I commenced my TreeTop Walk trail walk series on 15 August, this particular plant was of significant interest since it had been previously identified along this trail in 2012. Initially, there was no evidence of its presence at the former location. However, I subsequently identified one specimen on the opposite side of the track in a nearby area (Fig. 1). Further investigation revealed additional plants within the same vicinity, and these had begun developing flower bud clusters (Fig. 2).

Cyclea laxiflora is a smaller woody climber in terms of the diameter of its woody stem, especially when compared to larger species such as Phanera semibifida (Lapang). This climber can be easily identified by the tiny dense hairs covering its triangular-ovate shaped leaves, which are soft to the touch. These hairs are also noticeable on its young stems, although they disappear as the stems mature and become woody. A similar-looking climber is Stephania capitata, which is equally rare but lacks the distinctive hairiness.

In NParks' Flora & Fauna Web viewed on 3 November 2024, another Cyclea species, Cyclea barbata (Green Grass Jelly), was listed. A detailed feature article about this non-native climber was published in NParks Buzz in 2012. Additionally, I encountered an informative YouTube video illustrating the processing of this plant, presumably in its native region.

As of 3 November 2024, the iNaturalist website recorded 5 observations of Cyclea laxiflora, with 4 from Singapore and 1 from Malaysia. In comparison, there were 76 observations of Cyclea barbata, with no records from Singapore. Regarding Stephania capitata, there were only 2 observations: one from Indonesia and one from Thailand.

Additional images of Cyclea laxiflora can be found in the Flickr album by Reuben Lim and Cerlin Ng.

References:

[1] Turner IM. Flora of Singapore precursors, 44: Notes on Menispermaceae in Singapore. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 2024;76(1):109-126. | Read article |

[2] Turner IM, Leong PKF. Pycnarrhena (Menispermaceae), a new generic record for the native flora of Singapore. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 2022;74(2):139-144. | Read article |

[3] Turner IM. Revision of Tinospora (Menispermaceae - Chasmantheroideae - Burasaieae) in Singapore. European Journal of Taxonomy 2023;900:180-193. | Read article |