Mimosa pudica (Mimosaceae)

Nature: Sun-loving Herb

Commonly known as: Sensitive Plant, Touch-me-not; Rumput Malu (Malay)

Origin: Tropical America

Description: Low spreading plant with thorny, hairy stems. A common pan-tropical weed. The leaflets and leaves droop when shaken but recover in minutes.

Nelumbo nucifera (Nelumbrium nelumbo)

Nature: Water Plant

Commonly known as: Sacred Lotus; Bua luang (Thai); Teratai, Bunga padam (Malay); Seroja, Bunga padam, Teratai (Indonesian)

Origin: Asia

Description: The plant has long, blunted-spined flower and leafstalks usually raised above water level. Flower petals are replaced by a flat-topped seedpod divided into compartments after falling. A network of microscopic hair helps keep the leaves dry in a rain. Flowers bloom in the morning and the petals fall by afternoon. The plant grows throughout the year in Singapore, but where there is a distinct cold or dry season; it may have a period of dormancy.

Peltophorum pterocarpum (P. inerme; Caesalpiniaceae)

Nature: Wayside Tree

Commonly known as: Yellow Flame, Yellow Poinciana, Copperpod Tree; Non-see (Thai); Batai laut (Malay, Indonesian)

Origin: Coastal Malaysia

Description: Grown both for its shade and its flowers, the yellow flowers of the plant appear in clusters. The leaves fall during the dry season. Often planted along avenues and in parks for shade.

Plumeria sp. (Apocynaceae)

Nature: Flowering Shrub

Commonly known as: Frangipani; Lan-tom (Thai); Cempaka kubur, Kamboja (Malay); Bunga Jepun (Indonesian)

Origin: Unknown

Description: Amongst the easiest of tropical trees to propagate. Dotted sporadically with splendid fragrant, five-petalled flowers. Most Plumiers have an annual dormant period in which they stop growing and flower less profusely; many shed their leaves at this time.

The above plants are arranged according to their scientific botanical names in alphabetical order.

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