THE HISTORY AND BIOLOGY OF KENT RIDGE PARK

H.T.W. Tan, T. Morgany and Tan Kai-Xin

Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
14 Science Drive 4
Singapore 117543

View of the larger pond at the north of Kent Ridge Park, with
Normanton Park in the background.

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Introduction
The National Parks Board administered Kent Ridge Park is a 47-hectare nature park bounded
by South Buona Vista Road to the West and Southwest, Vigilante Drive to the South, the
condominiums Vista Park, Island View and Flyn Park to the Southeast, Pepys (pronounced as
peeps) Road in the East, the condominiums, the Peak and Normanton Park to the Northeast
and Science Park 1 in the North.

Map of Kent Ridge Park showing the main roads, trails and amenities available.

This park was built at a cost of S$3.78 million and completed in 1988. It was designed to
retain the natural vegetation and topography of the original site, so has a natural look and feel
to it with nature trails for nature lovers. Besides nature appreciation, it also caters for
recreational needs and has jogging tracks and 20 fitness stations for members of the public.
Other facilities include shelters, a restroom, and multi-purpose court.
This site is historically important and was where the
Battle for Pasir Panjang was fought between the
Japanese forces and the Malay Regiment during World
War II in February 1941. To commemorate the 50th
Anniversary of the end of World War II, a plaque was
installed at the upper carpark and as part of the Army's
adoption of the park as The Army Green Park, two
decommissioned M114 Artillery Guns and an AMX13 Light Tank are displayed in the park to provide
points of interest.

M114 Artillery Gun donated by the

Singapore Army at the Vigilante Drive
entrance to Kent Ridge Park.

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As part of the National Parks Board initiative to involve the community, the Adopt-a-Park
Scheme was initiated in Feb 1997. In chronological order, Kent Ridge Park has been adopted
by Nan Hua Secondary School, the Singapore Army (Ministry of Defence [MINDEF]), the
National University of Singapore and Ascendas Land (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Ascendas Land
and NUS adopted the park on 5 Jun 2002.
Access to the park is by Vigilante Drive, Science Park Drive and Pepys Road. Use bus
service 200 (alight at South Buona Vista Road and proceed by foot via Vigilante Drive); bus
service 92 (alight at the end of Science Park Drive); bus services 10, 30, 51, 61, 143 and 176
(alight at Pasir Panjang Road and proceed by foot via Pepys Road). If one drives, then enter
by Vigilante Drive and park at the two car parks (halfway up and at the end).

Vigilante Drive entrance to Kent Ridge Park

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History
The key points of the history of the park and Singapore are given below.
From the founding of Singapore to pre-World War II

Founding of Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. The vegetation at the site
which was to have become Kent Ridge Park would likely have been lowland evergreen
rain forest or coastal hill dipterocarp forest, to be specific) (see Vegetation History
section below), like most of Singapore. Other vegetation types would include
mangroves (at the coastal and estuarine areas), freshwater swamp forest (upstream areas
of the rivers), and beach vegetation.

Beach vegetation at St. Johns Island.

Lowland evergreen rain forest at

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Mangrove vegetation at Pulau

Semakau.

Freshwater swamp forest

vegetation at Nee Soon
Swamp Forest.

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Nineteenth century activities at the future Kent Ridge Park site would have included
clearance of the vegetation probably for gambier cultivation which would later give way
to other crops such a pepper, rubber, pineapple, etc. Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) was
certainly cultivated at the site and plantations in the area were owned by Kim Seng
Land Pte Ltd (the company founded by Tan Kim Seng [18051864], merchant,
philanthropist, justice of the peace, member of the municipal commision, after which
Kim Seng Road in Singapore, and Kim Seng Bridge in Malacca (Malaysia) are named).
The plantations were later acquired by the Colonial Government for the British Army
primarily for staff housing. There are numerous rubber trees currently in the forest
areas of Kent Ridge Park and the NUS Campus, being the ancestors of the plantation
trees.

World War II: Pasir Panjang Battle

Invasion of the eastern coast of Southern Thailand and north of Malaya (the then
Peninsular Malaysia) at Kota Bahru on 8 December 1941 by the Imperial Japanese
Army. They then moved down south of the peninsula, defeating the British Army
rapidly wherever they went.

After midnight on 9 February 1942, the Japanese crossed the Straits of Johore and
landed on the northwest coast of Singapore. They moved down south and reached Pasir
Panjang Ridge over the next few days.

The ridge was the site of an epic 48-hour battle between 13 and 14 February, 1942
the Pasir Panjang Battle or Battle of Opium Hill. Opium Hill or Bukit Chandu in
Malay, was named after an opium-processing factory which used to be at the foot of the
hill. Bukit Chandu demarcated the final defence perimeter. It was a key defence
position in Singapore for two strategic reasons:
o
It overlooked the island of Singapore to the north.
o
It gave access to Alexandra Road area where the British Army had its main
ammunition and supply depots, military hospital and other key installations
situated.

The frontline on the evening of 12 February was near the site which was to become the
current NUS University Cultural Centre, and by the afternoon of the next day, the
enemy had reached the gap, the area at the junction of the current Kent Ridge Road,
Clementi Road and Stockport Road. A 42-men contingent of the 1st Malay Regiment
under the command of Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi, held off the crack Japanese troops
for 48 hours, in spite of heavy shelling and mortaring as they alternatively fought the
Japanese and retreated eastwards along Pasir Panjang Ridge. The enemy even tried
disguising themselves as allied Punjabi troops to get nearer the defences but the Malay
soldiers saw through their ruse and the enemy was thrown back. The last stand was
made at Bukit Chandu.

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The battle royal took place on February 14 when, short of food and ammunition, the
men of the Malay Regiment fought hand-to-hand with the Japanese, the only such
instance in the Singapore campaign. Angered by their previous setbacks, the
triumphant Japanese soldiers caught the wounded platoon leader, Lieutenant Adnan,
tied him to a Malayan cherry tree (Muntingia calabura) and bayoneted him to death.
Only about six men were left uninjured and led by Lieutenant Abbas, these men made a
desperate withdrawal to the Battalion HQ by crossing a wide drain filled with burning
oil (Normanton Hill [now Normanton Park] used to be a fuel depot) and a few men
failed to pull through. Today, Bukit Chandu bears a museum in memory of this heroic
battle Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

Present day Normanton Park was the site of

an oil depot during World War II.

In the evening of 15 February 1942, the British Commander, Lieutenant General A.E.
Percival signed the surrender document and Singapore [to be renamed Syonan] became
part of the Japanese Empire.
Singapore was occupied by the Japanese from that date to the date of surrender to the
Allies on 2 September 1945.
On 5 September 1945, British troops returned to Singapore.
On 7 September, British Military Administration is declared.
In April 1946, Singapore returned to civilian rule as a British Crown Colony.

Post World War II to the Present

After the Japanese Occupation, the British army continued to maintain a strong presence
on Pasir Panjang Ridge, and current NUS campus grounds were where the barracks of
other ranks and NCOs of the British army were situated.

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Pasir Panjang Ridge was renamed after the Duchess and Duke of Kent (mother and son,
respectively) during a visit to this military site in 1952. The Duchess of Kent was
Princess Marina of Greece, and the Duke of Kent was her son, Prince Edward. A
commemorative plaque, of inscribed marble laid on granite, was erected on October 3,
1952 to commemorate their visit. This plaque is found at the junction of Kent Ridge
Road and South Buona Vista Road. The inscriptions bears two arrows, one pointing to
Marina Hill (named after the Duchess of Kent) and the other, to Prince Edward Point
(after the Duke of Kent) in the NUS campus grounds. Marina Hill is the area enclosed
by the first bend of South Buona Vista Road south of its junction with Kent Ridge Road
and Stockport Road. The inscription states:
BY GRACIOUS CONSENT OF

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

THIS RIDGE WAS NAMED

KENT RIDGE
BY

THE GOVERNOR OF SINGAPORE H.E. SIR JOHN NICOLL K.C.M.G.

TO COMMEMORATE
THE VISIT PAID TO THE ARMY IN SINGAPORE BY
H.R.H. THE DUCHESS OF KENT
AND
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF KENT
ON 3 OCT 1952

Plaque commemorating the

renaming of Pasir Panjang
Ridge to the present day
name of Kent Ridge at the
junction of Kent Ridge
Road and South Buona
Vista Road.

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Singapore became self-governing in 3 June 1959, with Mr Lee Kuan Yew

as first Prime Minister, sworn in on 5 June.
Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah) and
Sarawak to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Singapore became an independent nation by splitting off from Malaysia on 9 August
1965 and became the 117th member of the United Nations on 21 September.
In 1969, a site in the Kent Ridge area was established as the nucleus of the new campus
grounds for the then University of Singapore. Construction occurred for the next 16
years and the transfer of all the faculties and departments to the new campus from
campuses at Bukit Timah, Outram Road and Ladyhill Road, was completed in 1986.
In the late 1970s, planning for Kent Ridge Park started. Kent Ridge Park was to
become a nature park. The design philosophy was to retain the natural features of the
ridge that offers breathtaking views of the scenic surroundings. The existing forest and
the ridge was not to be disturbed so as to keep the parkland as natural as possible. Kent
Ridge Park was to be different from other parks in terms of the type of facilities
provided, which are calculated to promote an ambience of absolute serenity and
calmness.
In 1980, The National University of Singapore was formed through a merger between
the University of Singapore and Nanyang University on 8 August.
Kent Ridge Park was completed in 1988.
On 18 September 1999 Kent Ridge Park was adopted by Nan Hua Secondary School.
On 9 September 2000 Kent Ridge Park was adopted by the Singapore Army.
On 6 Jun 2002, the National University of Singapore and Ascendas Land (Singapore)
Pte Ltd adopted Kent Ridge Park.

The plaque to commemorate the adoption of Kent Ridge Park by

NUS and Ascendas Land on 5 June 2002. The guest of honour was
Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon. In attendance, was the Deputy CEO of the
NParks, Dr. Lawrence Leong Chee Chiew, Ms Chong Siak Ching,
President & CEO of Ascendas Pte Ltd as well as President and
Vice-Chancellor of NUS, Prof. Shih Choon Fong.

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Vegetation History
The parks present vegetation consists of cultivated areas consisting of lawns and planted
trees, secondary forest areas and two artificial ponds.
The original vegetation of Kent Ridge Park was probably lowland evergreen rain forest, in
particular, coastal hill dipterocarp forest to use a category from the classification scheme for
dryland forest types in Peninsular Malaysia. We do not know for sure as there were no
records. The forest was very likely somewhat like a mixture of the best forest areas of Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve and the Labrador Nature Area (adjacent to Labrador Park). Such
forest is dominated by members of the meranti family or the dipterocarps, such as seraya
(Shorea curtisii), and numerous species of trees, climbers and shrubs, as is typical of most
formations of the tropical rain forest.
With the arrival of settlers after the founding of Singapore by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819,
the many areas of Singapore came under cultivation with the felling of trees for timber,
firewood or clearance for agriculture for the remainder of the 19th century and early parts of
the 20th. We know from records that most of the site was planted with rubber, and then later
acquired by the British Army for quarters by their troops, especially along Prince Georges
Park and Kent Ridge Road. There is a great possibility that the area was first cultivated with
gambier (Uncaria gambir) as was many other areas in Singapore. This crop was grown for
the tannin in its leaves which had to be extracted by boiling so this crop was doubly
destructive to the vegetation of Singapore forest had to cut down to make space to grow
this crop and then more forest had to be cut to provide firewood for extracting the tannin. The
tannin was primarily for tanning leather. This crop also exhausted the soil and after a few
harvests, less nutrient demanding species such as pepper (Piper nigrum), pineapples (Ananas
comosus) or rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) were grown. (It was fortunate that tannin could be
synthesized, so reducing the need for planting gambier in subsequent years.)
With abandonment, the rubber plantations reverted to adinandra belukar, a secondary forest
scrub which grows on degraded soils with low nutrients and high acidity. This forest type is
characterized by the presence of these dominant species such as tiup tiup (Adinandra
dumosa), simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa), tembusu (Fagraea fragrans), Singapore
rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum), common ivy palm (Arthrophyllum diversifolium),
resam fern (Dicranopteris linearis), pitcher plants (Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes gracilis,
Nepenthes rafflesiana, and their hybrids), etc. This vegetation type is rather unique in the
region and occurs only within a radius of about 150 km around Singapore. This is termed an
anthropogenic heath forest as the poor soils arose through poor agricultural practices practised
by humans. The species which grow in such areas are native species which probably grew on
cliffs or other such exposed and poor soil areas, before the arrival of humans.
With human disturbance and the development of the cultivated areas, weedy species have
invaded the forest areas, especially around the edges. These include the common acacia
(Acacia auriculiformis), hairy clidemia (Clidemia hirta), common asystasia (Asystasia
micrantha), and other common garden weeds. Remnants of cultivation are also found, such
as rubber and the laurel-leaved passion fruit (Passiflora laurifolia).

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Living Diorama of the Vegetation History of Kent Ridge Park

To illustrate the vegetation history of Kent Ridge Park, the National University of Singapore
and Ascendas Land (Singapore) Pte Ltd (which manages the Science Parks adjacent to Kent
Ridge Park) have initiated a living diorama which is an educational project consisting of an
approximately two hectare plot. This plot runs from Northwest to Southeast, to the south of
the larger pond. There are three components to the plot as follows:
a.
Original vegetation: lowland evergreen rain forest. To create this, there is an
ongoing reafforestation effort to replant the area with desirable saplings and other forest
plants. (Plot 1)
b. Agricultural crops. Here all the key crops have been planted to present a sampling of
the species which were cultivated at one time in Singapore. (Plot 2)
c.
Present-day vegetation: adinandra belukar. This area is representative of most of
the forest areas left in Singapore. (Plot 3)
This plot is under development and it will probably be completed in ten years or more as the
trees to be planted into it take a long time to grow.

The site of the proposed diorama is to the left

of the track. Towards the foreground is the
plot for the original forest type (lowland
evergreen rain forest) and at the bend (where
the second lamp post away from the
foreground), is the plot for the agricultural
crops. Planting of some primary forest
saplings has begun in the first plot. The
presenta day vegetation plot cannot be seen.

Work has already begun for the site for the agricultural
crop with the construction of stair (left foreground) and
the planting of nutmeg saplings. Coincidentally, the
site has numerous rubber tree and saplings already
growing there.

The site for the present vegetation (to the right of the
slope). This will largely be left untouched as it already
has good growth of adinandra belukar. All that is
required is to remove the few exotic species growing
there, e.g., acacia trees.

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Plants
The number of wild vascular plant species in Kent Ridge Park is estimated to be about 4050.
Vascular plants include whisk ferns, club and spike mosses, horsetails, ferns, ginkgo, cycads,
conifers, gnetophytes and flowering plants. Most of the wild plants of this park are flowering
plants which also dominate the terrestrial ecosystems of the whole world. Wild vascular
plants are found in the natural forest areas as well as the cultivated zones, as weeds.
All plants are interesting in their own right but those listed here are very prominent and
common and likely to be encountered by the casual visitor to Kent Ridge Park. More species
will be added with time for a more comprehensive coverage. For the time being, we have
restricted the list to 11 plant species as below:
1.
Acacia
2.
Common ivy palm
3.
Hairy clidemia
4.
Rubber
5.
Sendudok
6.
Silverback
7.
Simpoh air
8.
Smilax
9.
Tembusu
10. Tiup tiup
11. White-leaved fig
Each of these plants will be described and illustrated in the following pages.
Much information is given but the reader is most welcome to ignore what he is not interested
in. However, I feel that the details are necessary so that the reader can obtain sufficient if his
interest is perked about anything. He can also refer to the relevant publications to obtain more
information as provided at References section.
Each plant description is as follows:

Species Name (botanical name including etymology, common name in English and Malay)
Family (botanical name and common name)
Brief description of the plant (habit, leaves, flowers, fruit), highlighting the key characteristics
Ecology (vegetation type in which it occurs, other notes)
Economic value, if any.

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Acacia Weediest tree species in Singapore

Acacia auriculiformis (Acacia, Greek name for a thorny tree in Africa or South
America, the acacias have thorns but local species are unarmed; auriculiformis, Latin
for ear-shaped, referring to the fruits which resemble human ears).

In the touch-me-not family (Mimosaceae) or bean family (Leguminosae).

Spirally arranged leaves (phyllodes = leaf stalks which have become leaf blade like,
there are not leaf blades, can check this out to be true in seeing how the various leaf
types form in seedlings of acacia). Tiny yellow flowers on short spikes. Flowers are
probably wind-pollinated with numerous pollen grains detectable in the air. Coiled
fruits are ear-like. Seeds have a thread-like, bright orange aril, as a reward for the bird
disperser (eats it, drops seed).

Exotic weedy tree from Thursday Island in the Torres Straits (between Australia and
New Guinea).

This is an invasive species which is rapidly displacing native trees because of its
aggressive growth and to be eradicated by NParks and the KRPVP volunteers during the
reafforestation activities at Kent Ridge Park.

A flowering branch showing undeveloped and

fully developed (with open yellow flowers)
inflorescences and leaves (phyllodes).

Seedling showing leaves of

different forms, from pinnate (1st
from bottom), bipinnate with normal
leaf stalk (2nd), bipinnate with
slightly broadened leaf stalk (3rd)
and with only broadened leaf stalk
and no leaf blade (4th). Because of
these observations of seedling leaf
development,
botanists
have
concluded that the leaf found in adult
plants are actually the leaf stalks
only and not the leaf blades and leaf
stalks which constitute most leaves.

Closeup view of the open

flowers, each consisting of sepals,
petals, numerous stamens and a
stigma on a long style and ovary.
All parts are yellow.

A fruiting branch bearing many ripe (dried) fruits

which resemble ears. The fruits have split to reveal
the black seeds, each of which has attached a bright
orange-yellow, thread-like aril which are eaten by
the birds which disperse the seeds.

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Common Ivy Palm Plant with the largest inflorescence in Kent Ridge Park

Arthrophyllum diversifolium (Arthrophyllum: Greek arthron, a joint; phullon, a leaf

the pinnate leaf has a jointed axis; diversifolium: Latin diversus, separated; folium, a
leaf).

In the ginseng family (Araliaceae), but without the valuable bioactive compounds in
ginseng (Panax ginseng, Panax quiquefolia).

Weakly branching, spindly and crooked stems. Spirally arranged, pinnate leaves up to
1.5 m long. Flowers growing in a huge mass up to 100,000 flower massess at the tips of
the main stem.

Described as a singularly unattractive tree by Corner (1988).

An uncommon component species of adinandra belukar (anthropogenic heath forest on

degraded soil), also growing in open areas and other secondary forest types. Common
in patches in Kent Ridge Park, e.g., near the larger pond.

Two trees showing the narrow trunks which have Ripe fruits at the tips of a leafy branch.
light greyish brown bark. The large, pinnate leaves
grow at the tip of the trunks, resembling branches.

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Hairy Clidemia The only exotic species which can invade primary forest

Clidemia hirta (Clidemia: After Klidemi, ancient Greek botanist, hirta: Latin hirtus,
rough or hairy).

In the sendudok family (Melastomataceae).

Small hairy shrub, with thin stems. The opposite, simple, roughly hairy leaves have
three prominent veins in the leaf blade. Flowers are white, and fruits shiny bluish black
when ripe with numerous tiny seeds within which are dispersed by birds.

This tropical American species is the only exotic (non-native) species which can invade
good forest patches in the Nature Reserves. It grows at fringe areas or open patches in
primary and secondary forest. It should be destroyed wherever it grows to prevent it
becoming more widespread in the forest areas of Singapore.

Also called Kosters curse.

Fruiting branch tips showing the opposite, hairy leaves with three
main veins each in the leaf blade. The ripe fruits are a dark, shiny
bluish black.

Flowers and buds in the axil (angle) of a

leaf. The ant is probably a nectar thief as it is
not likely to be a pollinator because as a
crawling insect, it is not very mobile and has
difficulties moving from plant to plant.

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Rubber The source of commercial rubber

Hevea brasiliensis (Hevea: Heve, native name of a plant from northern South America;
brasiliensis: Latin, of Brazil).

From the castor oil family (Euphorbiaceae).

Spirally arranged palmate leaf, three leaflets, white latex from most of the plant when
cut, especially bark and leaves. Exploding fruits with seeds which resemble those of
castor oil, but only bigger. Rubbing seed on clothes can make them very hot from the
friction.

Source of commercial rubber for world.

Planted in Kent Ridge Park in 19th century. Plantations of Kim Seng Land in the gap
area (between Kent Ridge Road and Stockport Road). Trees in Kent Ridge Park are
descendants of those abandoned after the British Colonial Government Army acquired
the plantations for the British Army.

An Amazon basin species which should be eradicated from natural forest areas.

Crown of young tree showing the spirally arranged leave at its

tip.

One leaf, showing the three stalked leaflets

and long leaf stalk.

Inflorescences at the tip of a leafy shoot. Numerous, tiny yellow

flowers are borne by each inflorescence.

Rubber fruits which are capsules which will

explosively split when ripe, to scatter the three
seeds as far as 10 m from the tree!

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Sendudok Singapores most famous wildflower

Melastoma malabathricum (Melastoma: Greek melas, black; stoma, mouth, from the
berries of this species which blackens the lining of the mouth and tongue when eaten;
malabathricum: Latin, from Malabar, which is a misnomer as it ranges from
Madagascar, to India and Australia and not restricted only to the Malabar coast)

From the sendudok family (Melastomataceae).

Shrub or small tree to about 3 m tall. The opposite simple leaves have leaf blades
which are rough on both sides and have three prominent veins. Flowers are 5 to 7.5 cm
across with usually purple and rarely whitepetals. The fruits split at maturity to reveal
the black flesh which contains numerous tiny seeds.

One of the keystone species of adinandra belukar because it flowers and fruits the year
round, providing a baseline food source for the carpenter bees (Xylocopa species) which
eat the pollen and nectar and pollinate the flowers, and for fruit-eating birds (e.g.,
bulbuls, pink-necked pigeons). Carpenter bees wingbeat frequencies are the resonating
frequencies of the anthers which will spray the pollen onto the bees when they are
nearby.

Another common name of this species, the Singapore rhododendron is a misnomer as it

is neither restricted to Singapore, nor a rhododendron (Rhododendron species
[Ericaceae]).

Four almost ripe fruits and one ripe and split fruit
which reveals the black pulp and tiny white seeds which
attract frugivorous birds which disperse the seeds.

Flowers at the tip of a leafy branch. Flowers have

mauve or purple petals and bright yellow stamens
(upper) and light purple ones (lower). The leaves are
slightly hairy and have three prominent veins in the
leaf blade.

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Silverback The most versatile secondary forest species

Rhodamnia cinerea (Rhodamnia: Greek rhodon, rose; amnion, the amnion or a

membrane, from the red unripe fruit; cinerea: Latin, ashen grey, referring to the
undersides of the leaf blades which have a silvery white appearance, hence the common
name).

From the myrtle or guava family (Myrtaceae).

This grows into a tree up to 15 m tall, with a trunk covered by dark brown, finely
fissured back. The opposite leaves have leaf blades with three prominent veins and are
dark green above and silvery white beneath. It bears tiny white flowers which develop
into round fruits which are green, then red, then purple and finally black when ripe.

This is one of the few pioneer species of the secondary forest whose seedlings can
tolerate shade so can be found in adinandra belukar, tall secondary forest or even
primary forest areas.

Fruiting branch. Leaves are opposite and

have leaf blades with three distinct veins.
Ripe fruits are shiny black.

Flowering branch. Flower clusters develop

in the axils (angles) of each leaf. Flowers are
white with many stamens.

Leaf development. Young leaves (leftmost) are shiny

silvery above and below, then become light green
above (2nd from left), then dark green above (3rd from
right) and silvery white beneath (rightmost).

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Simpoh air Singapores commonest shrub

Dillenia suffruticosa (Dillenia: After J.J. Dillenius [16841747], a German botanist and
professor at Oxford University; suffruticosa: Latin, shrubby).

From the simpoh family (Dilleniaceae).

A sprawling shrub which can grow up to 6 m tall. The spirally arranged leaves have a
leaf stalk which forms a sheath (hence the nickname given by NS men, of the CB
Plant, with CB being the initials for the Hokkien name for the female genitalia). The
large leaf blades have prominent secondary veins which are parallel to each other. The
large flowers of 1012.5 cm across have bright yellow petals. The fruits which form
split when ripe into a star-like structure bearing the seeds which are covered by a bright
scarlet flesh to attract the bird dispersers which eat the flesh and discard the seeds.

Like sendudok, this species is a keystone species of the adinandra belukar as it flowers
and fruits the year round, providing pollen for carpenter bees (Xylocopa species) and
seeds for birds (bulbuls, pink-necked pigeons). This species also grows in freshwater
swamp forest or the banks of streams, hence its common name, air (pronounced ai
yer) being Malay for water.

The large leaves were used to wrap food such as tempeh (fungus [Rhizopus species]
infected boiled soya beans), chee cheong fun or rojak before the advent of styrofoam
boxes or waxed paper wrappers for hawker food. This species is also now cultivated in
parks and gardens.

Flower and young fruits.

Flowering and fruiting branches. Note the large

leaves, the leaf blades of which have a very
prominent midrib and distinct secondary veins.

The ripe fruit splits open to reveal the

seeds which have a scarlet fleshy layer to
attract and reward the bird disperser.

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Smilax Enemy of forest trees

Smilax bracteata (Smilax: Greek, the yew [Taxus species]; bracteata: Latin, covered
with gold-plate or shining, referring to the shiny young stem and leaves).

From the smilax or greenbrier family (Smilacaceae)

The plant is a climber with a long, twining stem which is covered with stiff and long
prickles (caution!) Leaves are alternate, simple and rather widely separated, each with a
pair of long, coiling stipular tendrils which are used for attaching to support structures.
Leaf blades have three main veins, and the leaf is covered with a waxy bloom.

This species is native but has a tendency to grow over native trees and smother them to
death by overgrowth and blocking out most of the sunlight. A species which should be
eradicated from Kent Ridge Park forest areas to protect the native trees and allow their
good growth. Smilax plants tend to grow at fringe areas of the forest and move inwards
from there. NParks has spent thousands of dollars removing smilax from the Nature
Reserves.

Smilax plants grow in open areas

or forest areas and often overgrow
their support trees, ultimately killing
them by blocking off the light.

Stems of smilax
are rather wiry, soft
and bear alternate
leaves whose leaf
blades
bear
a
distinct midrib and
two or four other
large veins.
The
undersides of the
leaves have a waxy
bloom. Each leaf
has a pair of tendrils
which are used to
help the plant cling
onto supports.

Part of the stem closeup. The younger stems are covered

with stiff and sharp bristles (brownish orange). The young
leaf has a short leaf stalk which bears two coiled tendrils and
a leaf blade which has not yet expanded.

Fruits of smilax are borne in spherical

clusters. Each fruit stalk is attached to the tip
of the main stalk. The fruits have a waxy bloom
which gives the whitish appearance.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Tembusu The NUS tree

Fagraea fragrans (Fagraea: Named after J.T. Fagraeus, 1729 1747, Swedish naturalist;
fragrans: Latin, fragrant after the fragrant flowers).

From the strychnine family (Loganiaceae).

This is a magnificent tree to 30 m tall. The trunk is covered with almost black, deeply
and widely fissured bark. The opposite simple leaves bear flower clusters and berries in
their angles. The petals are whitish cream then turning yellow with age. Flowers are
very fragrant and blooms twice per year (May to early June, October to November).
The round berries are shiny orange then scarlet and contain many minute black seeds.

The slow-growing tree produces excellent strong, heavy and durable timber which is
straw coloured. This species produces one of the 10 commercial heavy hard wood
timbers recognized by the Malaysian Timber Board. This beautiful tree is also
commonly cultivated in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia as a park or roadside tree.
A sapling was used to represent NUS when the current vice-chancellor took over from
the previous. This plant is growing the front of the University Cultural Centre. The
Singapore five dollar bill also has an illustration of a tembusu tree which is still growing
at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

This species grows in adinandra belukar, in open and swampy places. The flowers are
pollinated by moths and the fruits eaten by squirrels, birds and bats.

A young tembusu tree showing the

characteristic conical crown.

The bark of the trunk is very dark brown

and deeply fissured.

The flowers are borne in clusters at the axils of the

opposite leaves.
After pollination, the flowers develop into
shiny, orange fruits which are eaten by various
The History and Biology of Kent
Ridge
Parkdisperse the seeds.
animals
which

Page 20 of 32

Tiup tiup The adinandra belukar tree

Adinandra dumosa (Adinandra: Greek adinos, crowded; aner, man referring to the
crowded stamens in each flower; dumosa, Latin, of shrubby appearance referring to
the shrub-like appearance of many individuals of this species).

From the tea [Camellia sinensis] family (Theaceae).

A small, weakly branched tree to about 18 m tall. Trunks tend to be narrow and
vertical. The simple, alternate leaves are arrange in two rows on either side of
somewhat horizontal branches. The leaf blades are elliptic, very slightly toothed at the
margin (feel with fingers to perceive this!), dark green above and pale greenish white
below when mature, reddish pink when young and withering dull scarlet. Single
flowers are found at the angles of most leaves. Each flower does not open full, with the
white petals, bunches of stamens and stigma, protruding from the sepals when ready for
pollination. Fruits are also half covered by the sepals, tipped by a long and prominent
style which is tipped by the stigma.

The timber from this slow growing species is very hard and durable but not of large size
so cannot be used for more than posts or walking sticks.

This is the species after which adinandra belukar is named, because it is one of the
dominant species in this forest type. This, together with sendudok and simpoh air, is a
keystone species of adinandra belukar because if it flowers throughout the year. The
flowers are visited by carpenter bees (Xylocopa species) which pollinate them and the
fruits are a staple in the diet of fruit bats.

The typical branch bears the leaves more or less in one

plane.

Young tree showing the vertical stem and

more or less horizontal side branches which
bear the alternate leaves, flowers and fruits.

The fruits (three on the left) bear the

persistent style and stigma of the flower. The
flower (3rd from right) is just shedding the
dried petals and the style is visible. There
are two flower buds on the right.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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White-leaved fig Kent Ridge Parks most common fig

Ficus grossularioides (Ficus: Latin, a fig tree; grossularioides: Latin, like the
gooseberry [Grossularia species]).

From the mulberry (Morus alba) or fig (Ficus species) family (Moraceae).

A shrub or small tree to about 9 m tall. All parts of the plant produces white latex when
cut. The alternate, simple leaves each have a hood-like stipule to protect the next
developing leaves. The leaf blade ranges from being entire (no lobes or teeth) to up to 5
lobes, so is very variable within even one branch! Characteristically, the leaf blade has
a bright white underside, hence its common name. The figs or syconia are yellow then
brownish ochre then dark red. This fig is associated with one fig wasp species which
pollinates it, being a good example of co-evolution.

There are a few other fig species in Kent Ridge Park such as Ficus fistulosa, Ficus fulva
and Ficus microcarpa.

This species grows at the edges of adinandra belukar, other types of secondary forest
and along streams. Birds eat the figs and disperse the seeds. Pollination is by the fig
wasp which is associated with this species. Each fig species has it own associated wasp
species which co-evolved with it.

Closeup on the figs (syconia).

Undeveloped ones are on the right
and top of the left shoot. Ripe ones
(yellow-orange) are on the left shoot,
bottom. White latex exudes from the
cut surfaces.
Fruiting branch. Unripe and
ripe (orange yellow) figs (syconia)
on the branch. Leaves have leaf
blades which vary in shape from
entire to two- or three-lobed.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Animals
Animals, plant and microbes are integral parts of the ecosystem. The habitats at Kent Ridge
Park cannot maintain themselves without the interaction between these three major groups of
organisms.
The number of wild animals in Kent Ridge Park is estimated to be about several hundred.
Common animals include insects, worms, fish, reptiles (turtles, snakes, lizards, etc.), birds,
mammals, etc. No one knows for sure how many animals there may be as no survey has been
done except for birds.
The more prominent animals include:
1.
Carpenter bee
2.
Cicada
3.
Fruit bat
4.
House crow
5.
Koel
6.
Koi
7.
Monitor lizard
8.
Red-eared turtle
9.
Toman
10. White-vented myna

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Carpenter Bee The most common large bee in Singapore

Xylocopa species (Greek xylon, wood, referring to the fact that these bees bore holes in
wood to make their nests, hence their common name of carpenter bee).

These are the large, 23 cm long bees which are solid black, or black and yellow or
tuquoise, which visit the flowers of sendudok (Melastoma malabathricum), simpoh air
(Dillenia suffruticosa) or tiup tiup (Adinandra dumosa).

They superficially resemble bumblee bees which are not found in Singapore. Although
they possess a sting, they are generally unaggressive unless provoked or disturbed, so
should still be handled with respect and care. They can be spotted visiting flowers from
about 9 am to midday or even later.

They are important ecologically as they buzz pollinate flowers of sendudok and
simpoh air. The frequency of their wing beats are the same as the resonating frequency
of the anthers of these two species which when they begin to vibrate in synchrony,
spray out the pollen grains which coat the bees. When they visit other flowers, the
pollen covering them will adhere to the stigma of the visited flower. Without these
bees, sendudok, simpoh air or tiup tiup flowers will not get pollinated.

A specimen can be seen at:

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~CH2M-NITU/jpg/sngpl04.jpg;
http://www.bug-guy.com/junepest.jpg

Carpenter bee pollinating flowers of the

pondweed (Monochoria vaginalis).

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Cicada Voice of the forest

Members of the cicada family (Cicadidae) (Latin cicada, tree cricket).

You will hear rather than see this insect which provides most of the background
chirping noises one hears in the forest areas.

When adult, this is a relatively large insect with a large, broad and blunt head with
protruding eyes and stout body, and two pairs of membranous wings. The front wings,
which are longer than those of the rear, jut beyond the insect's abdomen. Males have
plate-like membranes on the thorax, which they vibrate to make a loud, shrill sound.
Most species have female which produce no sound. They spend most of their life
underground as larvae. Some species are larvae for ten or more years. Adults suck the
sap of plants for sustenance.

A specimen can be seen at:

http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/pub/naturewatch/photos/053-06.jpg;
http://www.btinternet.com/~aero/cicada.jpg;
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/images/orthopta/cicada.jpg
Common Short-nosed Fruit Bat One of natures most effective seed dispersers

Cynopterus brachyotis (Cynopterus: Greek kynos, dog; pteridion, wing referring to

the fact that these bats look like winged dogs; brachyotis: Greek brachys, shortest
referring to its nose being short).

A common Southeast Asian 9 cm long bat which is commonly found hanging upside
down under the eaves of buildings in Singapore, or leaves or branches of trees.

It is the major disperser of many of the fruit species found in Singapore, e.g., tiup tiup,
Malayan cherry, tembusu, jambu air laut, etc., and common in secondary forest or
agricultural areas. They are also known to eat insects occasionally.

Fruit bats in Malaysia are known to be carriers of the nipah virus which killed a few
abattoir workers in Singapore a few years ago.

An adult specimen can be seen at:

http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/photos/2323.jpg
House Crow Major pest bird of Singapore

Corvus splendens (Corvus: Latin corvus, raven or crow; splendens: Latin spendens,
shining or bright, referring to the shiny black plumage).

One of the most noticeable and common birds in urban Singapore nowadays.

It is large bird up to about 4550 cm long, and solid black or with greyish head and
neck and the rest of the body black. Individuals will have colouration ranging from
these two extremes and intermediates.

This bird is not native to Singapore and first sighted in the mid-1940s. It was thought to
have been brought in on ships from India and Sri Lanka.

There are an estimated 100,000 individuals today in Singapore! As they feed on

rubbish they tend to live close to humans.

They have a distinctive and loud caw call.

An adult specimen can be seen at: a. with greyish head and neck
(http://www.kolkatabirds.com/saldino/shousecrow.jpg); b. almost solid black individual
(http://www.ontfin.com/House_Crow2.jpg)

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Koel Parasite of the house crow

Eudynamys scolopacea (scolopacea: Greek skolopakos, the woodcock, resembling the

woodcock).

This bird became common because it is a brood parasite of mostly the house crow.
Brood parasites work this way: their parents will lay their eggs in the nests of the host
species and thus the host species will bring up the parasite species chicks.

This is a large bird about the same size as the house crow. Male birds are all black and
females are brown speckled. Both sexes have red eyes.

They feed on fruits and are considered good seed dispersers. They occupy all areas
except forest.

They have a distinctive and loud call, somewhat similar to the pronunciation of the
common name, koel.

For a female specimen, please go to:

http://www.design.in.th/children/images/koel-female800.jpg;
For a male specimen, please go to:
http://www.design.in.th/children/images/koel-male800.jpg

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Koi

Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinus: Greek kyprinos, a kind of carp; carpio: Latin carpio, the
carp).

This is a domesticated form of the common carp bred especially in Japan and the rest of
the world for size and a variety of colors and often stocked in ornamental ponds. Local
hobbyists rear the carp for their beauty and auspiciousness, as the carp are thought to
bring good luck and prosperity.

There are quite a few large individuals which are easily spotted in the large pond of
Kent Ridge Park. It is interesting that the fishing eagles have not caught these!

Some specimens can be see at:

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/koi.jpg;
http://aquanic.org/images/photos/ill-in/koi.jpg;
http://www.showbirds.com/chelton/garden/koi.jpg

Koi in the larger pond of Kent Ridge Park.

One of the many koi in the larger pond of Kent Ridge Park.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Monitor lizard

Varanus salvator (Varanus: French varan, name for a monitor lizard; salvator: Latin
salvatorem, to save).

A large, native lizard which can grow up to about 2.5 m long. It is dark grey speckled
cream or yellow.

This is a scavenger and predator of any prey which it can catch and swallow. It can
feed off the flesh of the large carcases of animals.

In Kent Ridge Park, it probably eats carrion, fish, birds, eggs and small mammals.

Monitor lizards may often be seen swimming in the ponds of Kent Ridge Park.

A mature specimen can be seen at:

http://www.swissherp.org/Reptiles/Varanidae/V_salvator.jpg; a juvenile specimen can
be seen at: http://www.ecologyasia.com/images/Malayan_Water_Monitor_5018.jpg

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Red-eared Turtle The most common turtle in Singapore

Pseudemys scripta elegans (Pseudemys: Greek pseudes, false; Greek emys, a fresh
water turtle both root words together taken to mean resembling but not exactly like
Emys, another genus of freshwater turtles; scripta: Latin scriptus, written perhaps
pertaining to the distinct lines on the shell, limbs and head of the young, and limbs and
head of the old of this species; elegans: Latin elegans, neat, elegant again, perhaps
referring to the neat and distinct lines on the shell and limbs and head of the young, and
limbs and head of the old of this species).

This is an aquatic species which is characteristized by the red patches of colour at the
sides of the head (ears) which give it its common name. Male turtles develop long
claws in the front feet which are used to stroke the female during courtship. Male
turtles may also turn completely black with age. When young, they are green striated
with yellow, but with the characteristic red patches at the sides of the head. Young
turtles may be carriers of Salmonella species of bacterium which cause food poisoning
and hence are banned from sale in the USA.

This species is from USA and introduced to the park from owners who release them
here, or escapes from captivity. They are a hardy species which are not shy and known
to breed locally. They should be eradicated from the park to allow native turtles a better
chance to establish themselves.

There are numerous red-eared turtles in the ponds of Kent Ridge Park.

A mature specimen can be seen at:

http://www.pet-house.de/images/rotwangenschmuckschildkroete.jpg

Red-eared turtle showing the diagnostic red bands of colour at the sides of the head. There are numerous
individuals of this species in the larger pond of Kent Ridge Park.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

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Toman Singapores largest freshwater predatory fish

Channa micropeltes (Channa: Greek channos, a kind of wide-mouthed fish of the sea
referring to the large mouth of Channa species; micropeltes: Greek mikros, small;
peltes: Greek pelte, a small shield referring to the small shield-like plates on the head
of the fish).

This is the largest freshwater carnivorous fish in Singapores freshwater bodies, a pond
jaws! The fish has a narrow cylindrical body with prominent vertical stripes and large
head and mouth. It is an anglers delight as it fights hard when hooked.

It is a native species which eats mostly other fish or small animals which it can swallow,
e.g., frogs, rats, birds, etc. Anglers have been attacked and injured by the fish ramming
them below the water line.

There are many toman in the large pond of Kent Ridge Park. These often can be seen in
the shallows in small groups.

To see an adult specimen, please go to:

http://viart.vrn.ru/zoo/zmeegol.jpg;
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/fishes/photos/channida/ch_micro.jpg

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White-vented myna Singapores most common pest bird

Acridotheres cinereus (Acridotheres: Greek akridos, a locust; cinereus: cinerea: Latin,

ashen grey perhaps referring to the white feathers at the vent and tips of the wings).

This bird is about 25 cm long, dark grey with bright orange-yellow beak and legs with
white feather tips to the wings and the vent (cloaca) area.

This is another exotic species which was originally found only in Java, but deliberately
or accidentally introduced into Singapore in the 1920s. Numbers have risen
dramatically to an estimated 300,000 by 1985 and are probably even more now.

They are grassland birds but are highly adaptable and can eat human refuse, insects or
fruits. They are a major pest species too but are smaller and less physically dangerous
to humans than the house crow which will attack people.

To see an adult specimen, please go to: http://www.kolkatabirds.com/junglemyna8.jpg

Side view (left) and back view (right) of adult

specimen.

The History and Biology of Kent Ridge Park

Page 31 of 32

Acknowledgements
This work could not have been accomplished without the assistance of various people. We
are grateful to inputs from Ms Lim Wan Jo, Mr. Mohamed Shali bin Buang, Ms Norzehan
binte Ahmad and technical assistance of Ms Sharon Sim.
Further Reading
These books or websites provide information on the following topics.
Adoption of Kent Ridge Park
1. Army: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/army/armygreenpark/intro.htm
2. Ascendas Land: http://www.ascendas.com/news_view.cfm?PID=35&lang=eng
3. Nan Hua Secondary School:
http://www.moe.edu.sg/schools/nhs/ECAv3/KentRidge/KentRidgeAdopt.html#top
4. NUS: http://www.nus.edu.sg/cgc/volunteer.htm
Animals at Kent Ridge Park
1. Goh, B.P.L. Goh, N.S. Sodhi, D. Li, S.H. Ho and P.K.L. Ng. 2002. A guide to urban
creatures. Singapore Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp.
Battle of Pasir Panjang Ridge
1. National Heritage Board website:
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/heritagehub/more_pasirpanjang.html
2. http://www.knowledgenet.com.sg/singapore/shf/e_journal/articles/EJV2ART003.htm
Kent Ridge Park
1. National Parks Board website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/parks/loc/par-loc-ken_rid.shtml
2. Walks conducted by Friends of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and links to
other sites: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/heritage/kentridge/
Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi
1. http://www.knowledgenet.com.sg/singapore/SG/BI/BIADS001.asp?next=0
2. http://www.pointpub.com/kampungnet/fame/adnan.html
Plants at Kent Ridge Park
1. Corner, E.J.H. 1988. Wayside trees of Malaya. Vols. 1 and 2. 3rd edition. Malayan
Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Vol. 1 (pp. 1476; plates 1128); Vol. 2 (pp. 476861;
plates 129236).
2. Henderson, M.R. 1974. Malayan wild flowers: monocotyledons. Reprint of the work
published in 1954. Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. pp. 478.
3. Henderson, M.R. 1974. Malayan wild flowers: dicotyledons. Reprint of the work
published in 1954. Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. pp. 357.
Reflections at Bukit Chandu (Museum at Bukit Chandu)
1. National Heritage Board website: http://www.mita.gov.sg/MMMar02/editor6.html

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