| Last updated: December 2024 |

According to Wikipedia, this rainforest species is the only member in the genus Singaporandia. This genus was first published by Wong Khoon Meng in 2016 [1]. The article indicated that the previous botanical name (Rothmannia macrophylla) designated by Robert Brown, while being used in Wallich’s Catalogue (no. 8304), was not validly published. There was a Facebook post on 19 May 2024 by the Singapore Botanic Gardens stating that "This genus was recently discovered by Dr Khoon Meng Wong, following realisations that it has been misclassified as Rothmannia macrophylla".

The plant was first reported in Thailand in 2016 as Rothmannia macrophylla [2]. As of December 22, 2024, iNaturalist recorded 28 observations, including 14 from Singapore, but none from Thailand. I first encountered this plant in Singapore's rainforest in 2010.

Reference:

[1] Wong KM, Pereira JT. A taxonomic treatment of the Asiatic allies of Rothmannia (Rubiaceae: Gardenieae), including the new genera Ridsdalea and Singaporandia. Sandakania 2016;21:21-64.

[2] Khammongkol K, Chamchumroon V, Tetsana N, Poopath M, Sae Wai J, Sungkaew S. Rothmannia macrophylla, a new record for Thailand. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) 2016;44(1):32-34. | Read article |