This is the second part highlighting notable observations from visits to the Singapore Zoo in January. The first part was shared last week. This section focuses on three wild plants: Lepidagathis incurva var. incurve, Poikilospermum suaveolens (Fragrant Conehead), and Ficus septica (White-veined Fig).

Fig. 1: Lepidagathis incurva var. incurve

My initial encounter with the herbaceous plant Lepidagathis incurva var. incurve (Fig. 1) occurred in 2010 at the Singapore Zoo. I observed it once more during a recent visit to the Zoo, in a location proximate to my first sighting. In local publications, such as the 2022 Singapore flora checklist, this plant was referred to as Lepidagathis cephalotes. It was formally documented in Singapore in 2022 and identified as a naturalised species [1]. As Lepidagathis cephalotes has been recognised as a synonym of Lepidagathis incurva var. incurve on the Plants of the World Online website, I have adopted the latter as its accepted botanical name on my website.

In 2024, I encountered another population of this plant at a different location, Windsor Nature Park. Based on my observations and the 6 records from Singapore found on the iNaturalist website as of 9 February, this species appears to be relatively uncommon.

Fig. 2: Poikilospermum suaveolens (male plant) and its inflorescences

The second plant of interest during my early years of explorations in the wild was Poikilospermum suaveolens (Fig. 2). My initial encounter with this woody climber occurred many years ago at the Zoo, prior to discovering additional specimens in other areas of Mandai. This species climbs trees and can easily be mistaken for a fig due to its large leaves on long leaf stalks. In comparison to Lepidagathis incurva var. incurve, Poikilospermum suaveolens has been observed 21 times in Singapore according to reports on the iNaturalist website.

The inflorescences that grow from the leaf axils along the stem of this climber exhibit a rather unique appearance. Poikilospermum suaveolens is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate plants. The female inflorescence, when in bloom, resembles a rambutan. According to descriptions found on the Flora of China website, male inflorescences branch dichotomously 2-3 times, whereas female inflorescences branch dichotomously 1 or 2 times. Hence, the flowering specimen I encountered last month at the Zoo should be a male plant.

Fig. 3: Ficus septica (White-veined Fig)

While observing the Red River Hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) in their enclosure, I noticed a fig tree within the compound. This species of fig tree had caught my attention previously during a visit to Sarawak in East Malaysia in 2009. It seems to be a relatively common fig tree in the area I visited, but this was my first encounter with one in Singapore. Although the tree was some distance away, the white veins on the leaves and the rough-surfaced figs on certain branches led me to identify it as Ficus septica (Fig. 3). This species is not listed in the Singapore flora checklists published in 2022 and 2009. Additionally, no observations have been reported from Singapore on the iNaturalist website, although there are 11 observations from Malaysia.

Reference:

[1] Middleton DJ, Atkins S, Beentje HJ, Chen LMJ, Choo LM, de Kok RPJ, de Wilde WJJO, Duyfjes BEE, Ho BC, Lindsay S, Lua HK. Additions to the Flora of Singapore: New and overlooked records of casual and naturalised plant species (6). Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 2022;74(1):57-70. | Read article |