BARRINGTONIA ACUTANGULA SSP. ACUTANGULA

The mangrove tree Barringtonia acutangula (synonym: B. spicata, Eugenia acutangula; common name: Freshwater Mangrove, Indian Oak, Itchy Tree; Family: Lecythidaceae) is a showy tree especially when it is flowering.

This single specimen planted at HortPark was in bloom recently and the ground around it was littered with all the shed flowers with extended long red filaments and cream coloured anthers.

I mentioned in an earlier post that there is a Barringtonia acutangula and a B. acutangula ssp. acutangula and I am naming this one as such because from the fruits etc, it seems this is not the native one and could be from Australia.

Just look at the pendulous strings of red floral buds and opened flowers. I must admit it was quite a spectacle to see the fully bloomed tree but it was quite a challenge to take the photos.

A few links on the plant are shown below:

1. http://skipas.wordpress.com/native-plants/plant-families-l-m/lecythidaceae/barringtonia-acutangula-freshwater-mangrove/
2. http://keys.trin.org.au:8080/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Barringtonia_acutangula_subsp._acutangula.htm
3. http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?family=Lecythidaceae

SONNERATIA CASEOLARIS

This is a Sonneratia caseolaris (common name: Mangrove Apple; Family: Sonneratiaceae) from mangroves, associated with fireflies. These photos were taken after the rain, and the water droplets can be seen being repelled from the surface of the slightly leathery leaves.

Some links are shown below:

1. http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/sonneratia.htm
2. http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/1074.htm
3. http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/mangrove/sonneratia/caseolaris.htm
4. http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2009/05/woodlands-mangroves-sonneratia.html

ACROSTICHUM AUREUM

Commonly known as the Mangrove Fern, Swamp Fern or Golden Leather Fern, this is one of the largest wetland ferns that I know of.

It is adapted to grow at the edge of backmangroves as well as freshwater habitats.

These 2 photos show the fertile fronds with spores and the leaf venation can also be observed in the 2nd photo. 3 links are attached below for reference:

1. http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/acrostichum.htm
2. http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/1038.htm
3. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/acrost_aureu.htm