Plant Lists – Page 2 – Rimbun Dahan

Family Theaceae

admin Plant Lists 20 November 201010 August 2022

Gordonia penangensis Ridley
samak?

Penang to Singapore, endemic. In open lowland forest. Small tree to 13m, leaves elliptic-lanceolate, margin serrulate or entire. Flowers subsessile, yellowish, silky. 2 specimens June 2008.

Ploiarium alternifolium
reriang

Few spp confined to Malesia & Indo-China. Shrub or tree to 10m in secondary and swampy forests, and occasionally on isolated mountain tops.

Fr TH 6.2012.

Ternstroemia bancana
kuak (Sakai), medang pergam

From Banka, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Johor, Melaka. To 20m. Leaves spirally disposed, often congested at apex of branchlets and in false whorls. Flowers solitary, fruit a berry with leathery wall. 1 from TH 11/09.

Taman Sari Plants

admin Plant Lists 20 November 20102 June 2026

The herb garden, or Taman Sari, located next to the Main House at Rimbun Dahan, contains over 100 species of plants, many of them edible, with historical significance, with traditional medicinal properties, or with other ethnobotanical importance to the communities of Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Unlike the rest of the garden at Rimbun Dahan, the Taman Sari contains numerous species that are not native to this region, but are included because they are widely used or have been naturalised after centuries of introduction. The Taman Sari also contains our nursery of native forest tree seedlings and saplings, before they are distributed for reforestation.

There are 19 beds in the Taman Sari, separated by paths of concrete pavings. The plants in the Taman Sari are listed below, by alphabetical order of scientific name, and includes family names, common names and brief descriptions.

Last updated 29 May 2026.

Other plants, formerly in the Taman Sari, and elsewhere

Family Styracaceae

admin Plant Lists 20 November 201011 August 2022

Styrax benzoin

kemenyan, kemian

Sumatra, Java, Malaya; all states except north. Tree to 30m, leaves glaucous under because of microscopic hairs; inflorescence raceme/panicle, fruit matures as depressed globose 2-4cm. Resin yields benzoin or Gum Benjamin, used medically & for incense. 1 from TH 11/09.

Family Simaroubaceae

admin Plant Lists, Uncategorized 20 November 201011 August 2022

Ailanthus triphysa

Tropical and sub tropical. From Turkestan to NSW. 2 spp in Malaya,
both rare. Tall dioecious trees. Resin used for incense & for
medicine, Bark and leaves for tonic after child birth, and used as
febrifuge. This sp distinguished by glands scattered under leaflet.

Family Sapotaceae

admin Plant Lists 20 November 201011 August 2022

Palaquium gutta

taban merah

Lg. genus of 115 spp. in SEAsia, about 22 spp. in Malaya. Sumatra, Java, Borneo, all states but Perlis, Kedah, Trengg. Med. tree to 25 m., scattered in lowland forest, sometimes planted for gutta percha, tapped in fish-bone pattern.

Palaquium sp.

nyatoh

Payena lucida

nyatoh?

Burma, Siam, Sumatra, Borneo, Malaya exc. Perlis. Common in understory.
10 spp. in Malaya, recognized from descending tertiary nerves &
strong tendency for leaves to occupy an alternate rather than spiral
position on twigs.

Family Sapindaceae

admin Plant Lists, Uncategorized 20 November 201011 August 2022

Lepisanthes alata

Java, Borneo, Philippines. Small trees, twigs glabrous, rachis distinctly winged (Lat. alata). Mainly cultivated in villages on east coast.

Lepisanthes rubiginosa
kelat layu, mertajam

Small white fragrant flowers, fruit ripening from yellow, red, purple,
to black. Common in K. Baru.

Mischocarpus sundaicus

sugi

Common on sandy coasts, islands & estuaries or coastal swamps. India to Australia. Small tree to 6m, bushy crown. Young leaves pinkish and edible. Fr Tunas Harapan 6.2012.

Nephelium costatum Hiern

Endemic, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, NS & Melaka. 3-4 prs leaflets glabrous under. Fr TH 6.2012

Nephelium juglandifolium

rambutan hutan, rambutan pachat

Sumatra, Java, Malaya. Lowland forest.To 30m tall, 3-7 prs leaflets. Fruits slightly flattened ellipsoid. Lat. leaves like the walnut Juglands.

Nephelium mutabile

pulasan

Like rambutan, but leaflets narrower, dark glossy green above, pale
& glaucous beneath. Crimson to purple fruit with blunt fleshy
spines. Pulp pale yellow, separates cleanly from seed.

Pometia pinnata
kasai

Sri Lanka, Andamans, S. China. Malesia. Leaf margins dentate, every
other secondary nerve ending in a tooth. Spreading crown. Three forms
recognised, edible fruits, young red foliage.

Pometia ridleyi

kasia daun licin

Malaya, Sumatra. Perak, Pahang, NS, Selangor. Large trees to 50 m. Boles with 2 m buttresses, bark dippled brown. Primary forests, hill slopes, by streams. Leaf secondary veins sunken above, looping up without ending at the margins under.

Xerospermum laevigatum Radlk.

rambutan pacat, gong

Burma, Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo. Lat. smooth. Syn. with X. acuminatum Radlk. Lowland forest. To 30m, leaflets opposite, monoecious. Flesh around seed is edible, pulped stone/leaves are used to alleviate stomach ache.1 from TH 11/09.

Xeropspermum noronhianum Bl.

rambutan pacat, kikir buntal

2 spp, Bangladesh-Indo China. Common in low lying forest in Malaya. To 25m, leaves w/1/2/3 prs opposite leaflets; flat glands above axis of veins or scattered over leaf. Fruit yellow. 2 specimens June 2008.

Family Salicaceae

admin Plant Lists, Uncategorized 20 November 201011 August 2022

Flacourtia rukam
Previously family Flacourtiaceae
rukam

Difficult family to define because of minute variations in flower structure. Scattered throughout Malaya in rain forest, occasionally cultivated. Fruits edible, made more palatable by rubbing between the hands, but best cooked.

Family Rutaceae

admin Plant Lists, Uncategorized 20 November 201011 August 2022

Atalantia monophylla

merlimau, limau hantu

India, Burma, Siam, Malaya. Common on rocky and sandy coasts from
Penang northward and all east coast. Thorns and notched leaf tip distinguish
it from Suregada sp. In habit looks much like Citrus, leaves
standing obliquely erect.

Burkillanthus malaccensis

I H Burkill, 1870- 1965, director Singapore Botanic Gardens. Small tree to 12m, one sp in Malaya & Sumatra. Large fruits, thin peel rough with oil glands. Fr Rimba Ilmu 2011.

Citrus aurantiifolia var. microcarpa

limau kasturi

Up to 4m. small fruits used for juice. These planted in memory of
Hj. Kasturi Hj. Idris.

Citrus hystrix

limau purut

Leaf blade 1 -2″ long, almost as wide, slightly toothed: leaf
stalk widely winged, as to appear like the other half of a blade divided
in two. Fruit has wrinkled skin, used for ritual bathing. Rind used
in ubat jamu to drive away evil spirits, worms in children and headache.
Leaf an essential ingredient in cooking.

Citrus sp.

limau purut

This unidentified hybrid is more hardy than the common limau purut,
but retains the strong pungency of leaves and fruit, and produces
excellent juice.

Clausena excavata
semeruIndia, S. China, Malesia, common especially to north and at edge of
forest. Small tree, laxly branched and spreading, branches ending
in tassels of long slender leaves. Crushed twigs have a nauseous smell
of resin & lime, loose bunches of pink or whitish berries.

Glycosmis pentaphylla
kemotak, kenapehCommon village shrub from Perak & Kuantan to north. Sprawling
evergreen, crushed leaves smell lemony. Small white flowers, axillary
panicles. Fruit edible & sweet but resinous.

Limonia acidissima

belinggai, gelinggai

India, Burma. Common in Perlis villages, needs monsoonal climate to
fruit, slow growth and fruiting, brown pulp edible but resinous.

Triphasia trifolia

limau kingkip, bird lime

Philippines, China? Indifferent fruit, but used to be boiled by Malays
in sugar syrup. Useful small timber, good for hedging.

Family Rubiaceae

admin Plant Lists, Uncategorized 20 November 201010 August 2022

Aidia wallichiana

menterbang

Malaya, Andamans, Sumatra, Borneo. Througout Malaya, lowland to mountain forest, also on limestone. Showy fragrant inflorescence. Two planted on corners of plaza 07.

Anthocephalus chinensis
kelempayan,
kelampai

Deciduous monopodial to 30m, stiff outstanding limbs, drooping at ends. Common in secondary forest & on river banks. Branches in alternating pairs like mangosteen. Minute seeds, <1mm. Flowers in stalked round bur-like heads, but each flower separate from others.

Gardenia carinata
mentiong Kedah

Thailand, throughout Malaya, common in north. Small tree to 15m. Leaves obovate, lower surface hairy. Flowers solitary or clustered, calyx tube shields a third of the corolla tube.

Gardenia pterocalyx

mentiong

Small tree found in swampy habitat, at Tasek Bera, gelam forest in Trengganu and at G. Ulu Kali. Calyx tube with 7-10 narrow wings, fruits with wings down from calyx cup.

Gardenia tubifera
mentiong

Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Thailand. Throughout Malaya in lowland and hill forests. Terminalian branching, shoots often resinous. Flowers solitary, calyx tube truncate, corolla tube length variable, opens white turning orange. Fruits split to expose seeds in orange pulp.

Gardenia tubifera, with the distinctive scent of the genus, flowers prolifically but for just a week, and by the time I took the photo the tree was well past its best.

Ixora scortechinii

pecah periok/piring/pasu, jenjarum

120 spp, generally tropical, 20 spp in Malaya. Flowers in clusters at branch ends, long corolla tube, 4 spreading petals. Attracts butterflies. 2 new specimens December 2007.

Timonius wallichianus

triang, silver timon

Sumatra, Banka, Riouw, Anambas. In secondary lowland forest up to 500m. Lower leaf surface completely covered by silvery appressed hairs. Flowers unisexual, plants dioecious. 160 spp from Sri Lanka to Pacific, 14 spp in Malaya.

Family Chrysobalanaceae

admin Plant Lists 20 November 201011 August 2022

Parastemon urophyllus
nyalas, kelat putih

Shrub or tree to 33m. Two spp in Malesia, one in New Guinea and Moluku, this in Malaya, Sumatra & Borneo. Lowlands, river bank, peat swamp. Small fruits 1cm, ripen pink. 1 fr TH 11.09.

Acrotrema costatum DILLENIACEAE meroyan, punai tanah Native ranges from Burma, Thailand, Malay Peninsula to northern Sumatra. Common in dense rainforest and secondary forest. Roots are boiled to treat back pain and regulate menstrual cycle
Aglaia odorata MELIACEAE Chinese perfume plant, pokok telur belangkas Used in Java as a red dye for the fingertips.
Actinorhytis calapparia ARECACEAE pinang penawar Native to New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Tall solitary palm, cultivated in Thailand, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia for its purported magical and medicinal powers. Fruit may substitute for betel nut.
Allium tuberosum AMARYLLIDACEAE Chinese chives, kucai
Alocasia ‘Amazonica’ ARACEAE kris plant, bireh Graceful sagittate leaf of shining metallic sheen, silver green with grey ribs, margins deeply lobed and white, reverse purple. An ornamental hybrid of which the only certain parent is A. sanderiana, native to the Philippines.
Alocasia heterophylla ARACEAE, Arum family
Aloe vera ALOEACEAE lidah buaya Tropical America. Used for hair and cosmetics, but contains a purgative. Treats scalds and insect bites. Not for pregnant women or patients with weak gastrointestinal condition.
Alpinia conchigera ZINGIBERACEAE lengkuas ranting India to Malay peninsula. Leaves and rhizomes are soaked and boiled together for bath water to treat post natal rheumatism. Stimulates blood circulation under the skin.
Alpinia galanga ZINGIBERACEAE lengkuas Tropical Asia. Cult. Cooking herb. Leaves also boiled and used as a body lotion, or jamu. Essential oil has antiseptic properties.
Alpinia mutica ZINGIBERACEAE chengkenam Stems slender, up to 2 meters. Inflorescence of up to 12 flowers. Orange fruits break into 3 parts when squeezed. These from Rimba Ilmu, Universiti Malaya. Documented in 1880 by Hunter that Penang Malays used rhizome for stomach ache.
Alpinia zerumbet ZINGIBERACEAE variegated shell ginger Shellplant. An attractive clumping alpinia with a bi-coloured leaf.
Amischotolype gracilis COMMELINACE Native to Sundaland; a common undergrowth plant. Attractive vibrant purple fruit, velvety variegated leaves.
Amomum elan, formerly Elettariopsis elan C.K.Lim ZINGIBERACEAE Native to Malaya and Thailand. Decoction of roots and plant parts for treatment of food poisoning (muntah-berak), as carminative for flatulence and others. May be distinguished from other species formerly in Elettariopsis by the sweet geranium smell of its leaves when crushed.
Anacardium occidentale ANACARDIACEAE gajus Tropical America. Decoction of bark for diabetes, diarrhoea and mouth ulcers. Decoction of leaf and root for tooth ache and washing the eyes. Young leaves eaten as ulam, but older ones and fruit poisonous unless cooked.
Ananas comosus BROMELIACEAE pineapple, nanas Native to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries.
Andrographis paniculata ACANTHACEAE hempedu bumi, bidara India. Used to treat dysentry, gastroenteritis. Tonsillitis, pneumonia, infected wounds, pulmonary TB. Pain killer for snake bites.
Angiopterus evecta MARATTIACEAE paku gajah Big stemless fern found in moist tropical Africa, Asia and eastwards through the Pacific. In Malaya a decoction of roots is used to arrest the discharge of blood after miscarriage, and the pounded plant is applied for coughs.
Ardisia elliptica PRIMULACEAE mata pelanduk A common tropical shrub throughout India, Southeast Asia and Papua. Often planted as an ornamental for its attractive fruits. It is used in traditional medicine to treat herpes, measles, diarrhea and fever.
Areca catechu ARECACEAE pinang sireh, betel SE Asia. Widely cultivated. Seed treats diarrhea, half-ripe seed pounded for skin ointment. Mild narcotic, sliced endosperm of the seed eaten with betel leaves, lime, gambier or cutch.
Areca catechu var. alba ARECACEAE pinang putih This specimen from Dato Lim Chong Keat, June 2005.
Artocarpus camansi MORACEAE keluih, breadnut Native to New Guinea, Maluku and the Philippines. A relative of the nangka and cempedak, and possibly the wild ancestor of the seedless and more edible breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis). It has separate male and female flowers.
Arundina graminifolia ORCHIDACEAE bamboo orchid Cultivated for its ornamental flowers. Widespread throughout Pacific islands, Eastern and Southeast Asia. Grows on the ground and commonly found in open spaces. The edible flowers can be stir fried and tastes like bitter gourd.
Axonopus compressus POACEAE cow grass, rumput lembu/rumput padang
Azadirachta excelsa MELIACEAE sentang
Bergera koenigii (previously Murraya koenigii) RUTACEAE daun kari From Indian subcontinent to Southern China and Peninsula Malaya. Leaves used for flavour and fragrance. Mixed with ubat periuk to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Bixa orellana BIXACEAE annatto, achiote Native to Central America. The source of annatto, an edible orange-red colouring derived from the waxy arils covering the seeds. Considered invasive in some countries. This specimen grown from seeds donated by Wild Dot, Singapore.
Boesenbergia rotunda ZINGIBERACEAE temu kunci India and S. China (Yunnan)? Widely cultivated species for its key-like rhizomes that are used in Thai & Malaysian cooking. Inflorescence covered by leaf sheaths. Flowers, uniformly pink, appear one by one.
Bolbitis sp. DRYOPTERIDACEAE
Borrasus flabellifer ARECACEAE (PALMAE) palmyra palm, lontar
Cananga odorata ANNONACEAE kenanga Tropical Asia to N. Australia. Cultivated ornamental. Flowers give ylang-ylang oil for hair and industrial perfume production; leaves produce a poultice for itch.
Catharanthus roseus APOCYNACEAE kemunting cina, Madagascar periwinkle Madagascar. Contains vincristine and other alkaloids with retarding effect on leukemia. Decoction of leaves drunk to relieve menstrual pain & applied for insect bites.
Centella asiatica UMBELLIFERAE pegaga Pan tropical. Salad or ulam. To stimulate appetite, aid digestion, used to treat bowel complaints in children, sores, ulcers and skin problems.
Cinnamomum iners LAURACEAE madang teja Native to Southeast Asia. Less commonly used as a spice because less fragrant than C. verum, but a popular host plant for butterflies. Planted as an ornamental due to pink new leaf.
Cinnamomum verum LAURACEAE kayu manis, cinnamon India. Cooking spice. Roots treat rheumatism and fever. Tree bark used in many medicinal powders and tinctures, tonics for diarrhoea and colic.
Citrus hystrix RUTACEAE limau purut Leaf blade 1-2″ long, almost as wide, slightly toothed: leaf stalk widely winged, as to appear like the other half of a blade divided in two. Fruit has wrinkled skin, used for ritual bathing. Rind used in ubat jamu to drive away evil spirits, worms in children and headache. Leaf an essential ingredient in cooking.
Citrus sp. RUTACEAE
Clerodendrum calamitosum VERBENACEAE white butterfly bush
Clerodendrum bungei VERBENACEAE rose glory bower China. Cultivated. Many tropical species from this genera are attributed with spiritual & magical properties.
Clitoria ternatea LEGUMINOSAE butterfly pea, bunga telang Pantropic but may have originated from tropical Africa. Slender climber with pinnate leaves and pea-like solitary showy blue edible flowers, used to colour food such as sweet glutinous rice.
Coffea liberica RUBIACEAE liberica coffee Native to Western and Central Africa, naturalised in Malaya and Java. Grows tall up to 20 metres. Cultivated for its beans which are used to make coffee and are among the largest of the coffee varieties.
Corymborkis veratrifolia ORCHIDACEAE bertam sulur Ranges tropical Asia to Australia and Pacific islands. This terrestrial orchid has pleated leaves and small short-lived cinnamon-scented white flowers, believed to be pollinated by a nocturnal moth. The plant is used in Malay traditional medicine to treat fever and blood flow.
Costus speciosus COSTACEAE setawar halia Malaysia. Whole plant boiled for a decoction to bathe patients with high fever & for smallpox. Stem scrapings for leprous skin. Juice of rhizome is purgative. Malays attribute magical properties: drives away spirits causing illness.
Crinum asiaticum AMARYLLIDACEAE bakong, rumput tembaga suasa SE Asia to Pacific, seashores. Leaves used in poultices for joint pain, sometimes with pepper and gendarusa for fevers, lumbago, headaches, swellings. Chewed roots can induce vomiting.
Curculigo latifolia HYPOXIDACEAE lumbah Indo-Malaya. Fruits give sweet sensation and improve appetite. Decoction of leaves & hibiscus root used as eye drop for sore eyes. Roots eaten raw treat high fever. Decoction drunk for tumours smallpox and kidney stones. Fibre for fish nets.
Curcuma aeruginosa ZINGIBERACEAE temu hitam Burma, Indo China. Cultivated. Rhizomes used in postnatal tonics and jamu (traditional health tonic).
Curcuma longa ZINGIBERACEAE kunyit, turmeric SE Asia, precise origin unknown. One of the oldest spice plants known, dried rhizomes ground for curries, dyes, used to relieve flatulence and diarrhea.
Cymbidium finlaysonianum ORCHIDACEAE boat orchid, bunga candarek A common and attractive species, self-seeding in urban settings.
Cymbopogon citratus GRAMINEAE serai Only known in cultivation. Used widely in cooking and fragrance. For headache, pound leaves and apply to forehead. Apply paste as insect repellent or to joints for rheumatism. Boil and drink water for urinary & stomach problems.
Cymbopogon nardus GRAMINEAE serai wangi Sri Lanka, S. India. Introduced to SE Asia. Acrid, warm, anti-inflammatory, analgesic. Digestive. Headache, stomach ache, diarrhea. Rheumatism. Irregular menses, post partum edema. Main source of citronella oil.
Datura fastuosa SOLANACEAE kecubung Widely distributed village plant. All parts poisonous, particularly seeds, but occasionally used as an internal medication for lack of virility. Most common criminally used poison, rendering subject insensible without killing him. Crushed seeds administered in coffee/tea. POISONOUS — DO NOT EAT
Dianella ensifolia LILIACEAE akar siak, chi chiak Indo-Malaya. Leaf poultice used with Ardisia as poultice for wounds. Roots used in postnatal tonics.
Dillenia philippinensis DILLENIACEAE simpoh Philippines. Genus named for J.J. Dillenius, 1684-1747, German botanist, professor at Oxford. Flowers large, solitary, petals falling first day, fruit covered by thick fleshy edible sepals that make cough syrup & shampoo. Bark yields a red dye.
Diospyros discolor EBENACEAE buah mentega Native to Philippines. Twigs velvety, Occasionally cultivated in Malaya for edible fruits. Separate male and female flowers, fruit a berry with fibrous to fleshy pericarp. (Species name meaning ‘having many colours’).
Eryngium foetidum APIACEAE ketumbar Jawa America, introduced by Chinese. Young leaves a substitute for coriander. Many medicinal uses in Americas: diuretic, febrifuge, mild stimulant, laxative. Decoction of whole plant lowers blood pressure, & as an aphrodisiac.
Etlingera elatior ZINGIBERACEAE kantan Mauritius. Of all gingers in the peninsula, Etlingeras have the most colorful inflorescence and fruits, but this introduced species is widely used for its edible flower cooked in laksa and sliced in salads.
Etlingera fulgens ZINGIBERACEAE Native to Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Cultivated as an ornamental plant due to the leaf’s striking red underside.
Etlingera littoralis ZINGIBERACEAE tepus Gingers with tall leafy shoots and inflorescence on separate side shoots that may be some distance from the leafy shoot.
Euricles amboinensis AMARYLLIDACEAE sepenoh Seashore plant through archipelago. Cultivated as a magic plant; Malays use leaves in magic brush to sprinkle consecrated rice-gruel in harvesting, fishing and wedding ceremonies. Plant expels ghosts and evil spirits from house. Leaves applied to swellings, bulb to relieve oppression.
Eurycoma longifolia SIMAROUBACEAE tongkat ali
Ficus deltoidea MORACEAE golden mistletoe fig Native to Southeast Asia.
Gardenia jasminoides RUBIACEAE cape jasmine, bunga melur
Globba cf patens ZINGIBERACEAE This from Gunung Bunga Buah, Genting.
Globba sp. ZINGIBERACEAE From Bukit Apek, Cheras, Selangor.
Globba sp. ZINGIBERACEAE
Grammatophylum scriptum ORCHIDACEAE Native to Southeast Asia, often found in coastal habitats. Large, produces a long inflorescence which dangles yellow green flowers with brown markings.
Hedychium coronarium ZINGIBERACEAE gandasuli, ginger lily Native to Asia. White fragrant flowers, reminiscent of jasmine. Flourishes near streams and waterlogged areas. Decoction of leaves drunk for indigestion. Leaves eaten with betel to treat abdominal pains. Stem sap applied to soothe swellings.
Hedychium flavescens ZINGIBERACEAE Distributed from Himalayas, Sichuan and Indochina. A hardy plant tolerant of shade and extreme conditions, it produces yellow-white flowers which makes it a good ornamental plant in the landscape setting.
Hibiscus mutabilis MALVACEAE Rose mallow, Chinese cotton rose Native to South China and Taiwan. The flowers open pure white in the morning, shift to light pink around midday, and deepen to deep pink or dark red by the evening.
Hoya carnosa ASCLEPIADACEAE akar setebal/akar serapat East Asia to Australia and Pacific. Epiphytic herb. Toxic and narcotic latex. Fresh leaf juice with honey used for pneumonia and bronchitis; anti-inflammatory.
Hoya sp. ASCLEPIADACEAE
Ixora javanica RUBIACEAE bunga jejarum, pecah periuk Eastern Himalayas to West Malesia.
Ixora pendula RUBIACEAE pink needles, jejarum hutan, jambul siul Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore.
Indigofera sp. FABACEAE Supposedly a local species, undetermined.
Iris domestica IRIDACEAE leopard lily, pokok kipis
Justicia gendarussa ACANTHACEAE gendarusa, urat sugi SE Asia. Decoction of leaves used to treat fever, jaundice, flatulence.
Kaempferia galanga ZINGIBERACEAE cekur, kencur India. Rhizome, spice and scent, boiled with other roots for post natal tonic. Crushed leaves used as hot compress on swellings. To treat itchy throat, chew a piece of rhizome with salt.
Kaempferia pulchra ZINGIBERACEAE peacock ginger, cekur batik Malaya. Small herbs with short rhizome and tuberous roots, flowers arise in midst of a few leaves.
Labisia pumila MYSINACEAE kacip fatimah Sumatra, Malaya, Java, Borneo. Decoction of plant use to fortify women before labour and after childbirth, treats flatulence and irregular menses. Leaf decoction drunk for dysentery.
Lawsonia inermis LYTHRACEAE inai India. Leaves are pounded and applied to fingers of brides for orange colour. Hair dye. Also treats superficial wounds. Boil leaves & gargle for sore throat.
Licuala orbicularis ARECACEAE (PALMAE) parasol palm, daun nisang
Licuala sp. ARECACEAE (PALMAE)
Lycoris radiata AMARYLLIDACEAE bawang jabu Myanmar to S. China. Bulbs cleaned, crushed and boiled. Decoction drunk to relieve fevers and coughs. White flowers open late afternoon, smell of dusty rooms.
Magnolia figo, formerly Michelia figo MAGNOLIACEAE cempaka pisang Native to Southeast China. An ornamental shrub and small tree, the flowers have a banana scent. Wide medicinal use, including the promotion of circulation of qi in traditional Chinese medicine, and for high blood pressure in traditional Indian medicine.
Malvaviscus arboreus MALVACEAE Turk’s cap, sleeping hibiscus, bunga raya kuncup Native to Central America. The flowers can be used to make a fugitive pink dye. The common names derive from the fact that the flowers resemble tiny red standard hibiscus, except that they never fully open.
Mapania cuspidata CYPERACEAE
Maranta arundinaceae MARANTACEAE West Indian arrowroot, ubi garut Tropical America. Widely cultivated for starchy tubers that are grated, washed, sifted and cooked before rendering edible. Also used in making computer print paper.
Medinilla coccinea var. ‘Gregori Hambali’ MELASTOMATACEAE Papua New Guinea. An ornamental shrub or epiphyte, with long deep maroon leaves and pink flower clusters.
Melastoma malabathricum var. alba MELASTOMATACEAE senduduk Madagascar, India to Australia. Common in open places, always flowering. Species very variable. Gr., melas (black) stoma (mouth), from the berries blackening the tongue.
Melia azederach MELIACEAE mindi kecil, Persian lilac Nowhere wild, foothills of the Himalayas? Cultivated for scent and shade. Arabs and Persians use leaf juice as vermifuge and diuretic. Used as fish poison, 6-8 seeds will kill a man. Poultice of leaves used for headaches, of flowers kills lice.
Mentha arvensis LABIATAE pudina, mint Europe, east through Russia, south to India. For headaches, pound leaves with lime juice, apply paste to forehead. Boil leaves to make a cough mixture.
Morinda citrifolia RUBIACEAE noni Widely spread across Southeast Asia and Pacific islands due to Polynesian domestication. Fruit, bark and roots can be used to produced different hues and shades of dye from brownish purple to yellow. The fruit has a strong smell and bitter taste, often consumed as famine food.
Moringa oleifera MORINGACEAE kelur Leaves used in traditional Indian cooking. A fast-growing drought-resistant tree.
Morus alba MORACEAE Indian mulberry, besaram North India. Leaves fed to silk worms or cattle. To Chinese, all parts medicinal: restorative, tonic & astringent for nervous disorders. Young leaves good for nursing mothers. Leaf decoction treats the blood, gonorrhoea, & poisoned wounds.
Murraya paniculata RUTACEAE kemuning India to Australia, S. China, Melanesia. Ornamental. Yellow (kuning) root wood used for kris handles. Infusion of leaves for tapeworm and stomach herpes. Flowers for cosmetics and to scent hair.
Musa beccarii MUSACEAE Endemic to Sabah. May be cultivated in ornamental setting for its red flowers.
Musa gracilis MUSACEAE Native to Peninsular Malaysia. Grows up to shoulder height, found in clumps or solitary. Cultivated for its ornamental upright pinkish purple inflorescence.
Musa sp. MUSACEAE banana
Myristica fragrans MYRISTICACEAE pala, nutmeg Maluku. Fruit is pickled as food. Shoots eaten as vegetable with rice to treat hypertension. Red mace for flavouring fish and cakes. Seed kernel gives commercial nutmeg. Oil is medicinal and used to flavour tonics.
Nephelium lappaceum SAPINDACEAE rambutan
Orthosiphon aristatus LAMIACEAE misai kucing, cat’s whiskers Indo Pacific. Brewed leaves are a diuretic, used to eliminate bladder stones. Dried leaves were exported to Europe as early as 1886.
Osmoxylon lineare ARALIACEAE miagos bush, green aralia Native to the Philippines, where its leaves are used to treat coughs.
Pandanus amaryllifolius PANDANACEAE pandan wangi Maluku in Eastern Indonesia, but widely cultivated. Leaves used to flavour food and in hair wash. Leaf ash mixed with vinegar used as a lotion for measles.
Phalaenopsis sp. ORCHIDACEAE
Phyllanthus acidus EUPHORBIACEAE cermai, Malay gooseberry One species, cultivated, origin unknown. Common village tree, especially in north. Fruits cooked as a sour flavouring or acar; root is medicinal but poisonous: boiled and steam inhaled for cough, weak infusion drunk for asthma.
Pinanga malaiana ARECACEAE lagong
Piper betel PIPERACEAE sirih Malay archipelago. Leaves are eaten with gambir for treating diarrhea. Mild stimulant, applied in poultices for stomach pains, coughs and asthma. Leaf sap applied to soothe oral sores and ulcers.
Piper nigrum PIPERACEAE lada hitam Introduced from India; Marco Polo reported in 1280 that it was in Malaya. Cultivation followed land clearance, need for highly organic soils favored shifting cultivation, creating wide grass wastes in Singapore mid 19th century. Essential ingredient of jamu.
Piper sarmentosum PIPERACEAE kadok SE Asia. Leaves edible, used in embrocation for skin discoloration and a throat poultice for coughs. Roots chewed with areca nut to treat persistent coughs and asthma.
Platycerium bifurcatum POLYPODIACEAE common staghorn fern Native to Java, Papua New Guinea and Australia, now widely naturalised in Malaysia.
Plectranthus amboinicus LAMACEAE bangun bangun, po hor, Indian borage NE Africa. Cult. from India to SE Asia. Decoction used to treat asthma, fever, nausea, rheumatism, colic, urinary tract infections cough, epilepsy and convulsion. Boil with rock sugar for sore throat.
Plumeria rubra APOCYNACEAE bunga kemboja, frangipani Central America. Flowers sweet, cool, fragrant. Used to prevent heat stroke and to treat enteritis and dysentry. Helps indigestion and poor absorption of infantile nutrition.
Polygonum minus POLYGONACEAE kesum Old World tropics. Cooking herb. All parts used in post-natal tonics. Leaves used to treat indigestion (boil and drink) and dandruff (pound leaves, extract oil, mix with water & apply to scalp for a few minutes).
Pteris ensiformis PTERIDACEAE paku padang A variegated white fern; a common mutation across the Asia-Pacific.
Radermachera sp. ‘kunming’ BIGNONIACEAE dwarf tree jasmine A small tree, native to Thailand.
Ruta graveolens RUTACEAE rue, inggu, geroda S. Europe, N. Africa, no longer found in the wild. Bitter, acrid, cool. Anti-inflammatory, dispels stagnant blood, analgesic. For colds, fever, infantile convulsion, amenorrhea. Infantile eczema. Traumatic injury. Snake and insect bites.
Salacca minuta ARECACEAE Endemic to Gunung Janing in Endau Rompin National Park. A good landscaping plant, suitable to grow in moist, partially shaded to sunny position.
Sambucus javanica ADOXACEAE elderberry, sengitan, bungan kepapah (Bali) Native to Subtropical and Tropical Asia. Sweet and mildly bitter. Parts of the plant are used for medicines to aid in blood circulation, swelling, spasms as well as poison.
Scaphochlamys kunstleri ZINGIBERACEAE From stream bank at Bukit Kabut, Belum, Perak. Leaves dark green with purple lower surface.
Schismatoglottis calyptrata ARACEAE
Selaginella erythropus SELAGINELLACEAE red spikemoss Native to Costa Rica and tropical South America. Cultivated as an ornamental for its attractive red underside.
Selaginella plana SELAGINELLACEAE paka merak Malay peninsula. Various spp. used for stomach ache, rheumatism, coughs, asthma, post-natal tonics.
Selaginella willdenowii SELAGINELLACEAE paku marak Southeast Asia. The blue colouration in the leafs is an adaptation to allow the plant to photosynthesize more efficiently in areas of shaded undergrowth.
Strobilantes dyerianus ACANTHACEAE Persian shield Burma. Introduced to the Botanical Gardens Singapore by collector Boxall and having done well was sent to Kew and brought into wider cultivation from 1893.
Syzigium aromaticum MYRTACEAE cingkeh, clove Commercial cloves sold as a spice are the sun-dried flower buds. Traditionally added to cigarettes (kretek) and food for fragrance. Shoots and leaves chewed for bad breath and to relieve toothache.
Tacca chantrieri DIOSCOREACEAE devil flower Distributed across Bengal, Indochina and Malay Peninsula. It has a black alien-like flower with whisker structures, theorised to be mimicking carrion to attract pollinators. The rhizomes are used in traditional medicine to treat gastric ulcers, hepatitis and high blood pressure. Stabilising agents derived from root extract of this plant have been found to possess anticancer properties.
Tacca integrifolia DIOSCOREACEAE keladi murai, kelemoyang air (Sel.) Common tuberous herb in deep shaded forest. Flowers arranged in clusters of 5+ surrounded by leaf like bracts, with pendant thread like bracts. Pulped tubers treat skin irritations caused by ulat bulu darat, stinging black caterpillars (Bentong).
Tamarindus indica LEGUMINOSAE asam jawa Africa; introduced by Arab traders to India & SEAsia (tamar-ul-Hind, ‘the date of India’). Young shoots eaten raw; decoction of leaves treats fever. Pulp of fruit added to curry for sourness; bark a poultice for sores and boils. Young leaves eaten as ulam.
Tapeinochilos ananassae COSTACEAE Indonesian wax ginger Native throughout Maluku to New Queensland. Often cultivated in ornamental settings for its huge pineapple-like flowers. Flowers can be cut for flower arrangements
Thysanolaena latifolia POACEAE Asian broom grass, buloh terbau The dried leaves are used as a wrapper for glutinous rice dumplings which are traditionally made during the fifth month of the lunar calendar to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The dried flowers are the material of commercially-produced ‘paddy brooms’, mostly from Vietnam.
Typhonium trilobatum ARACEAE keladi puyuh
Utania racemosa GENTIANACEAE kopi hutan, sepuleh Southeast Asia to the Andaman Islands. Used for timber and fuel. Used by Malays in a tea for fever and rheumatism.
Vallaris glabra APOCYNACEAE kesidang, kerak nasi Java. Widely cultivated in Malaysia for its strong pandan smelling flowers. “The scent is mousy but agreeable to the natives of the East, who like it, as they like rice and yams with a mousy smell” (Burkill).
Vitex negundo LAMIACEAE lemuni hitam Widely distributed in Asia, commonly found near bodies of water in kampungs. The purple leaves are crushed and mixed with coconut milk, added to rice to make Nasi Lemuni, a dark rice with herbal fragrance considered a delicacy in Aceh, Penang and Kedah. The leaves are also used to treat women’s health, such as regulating menstrual cycle and post-partum remedies.
Wrightia religiosa APOCYNACEAE mok (Thai) Old World tropics. Cultivated for fragrant flowers beloved of butterflies, and for bonsai.
Zingiber aromaticum ZINGIBERACEAE puyang, lempuyang wangi Possibly a synonym of Zingiber zerumbet.
Zingiber officinale var. ZINGIBERACEAE halia bara Smaller variety of commercial ginger, does better in tropics. Rhizome decoction for indigestion (Perak) and after childbirth (Kel.), fever lotion (Batu Gajah); part of an elaborate cosmetic for entire body in cases of suspected lunacy.
Zingiber zerumbet ZINGEBERACEAE lempoyang

Acalypha siamensis EUPHORBIACEAE teh kampong Indochina, Burma, Thailand. Poultice of leaves used for fever.
Acorus calamus ARACEAE jerangau Europe, Asia, N. America. ‘Sweet flag’. Creeping rhizome w/aromatic cells, leaves arranged in flat fans, minute yellowish flowers. Candied rhizome an old time confection. Powdered dry root said to kill white ants. Malays use it for rheumatism. (Wet ground W of lower pond)
Alocasia macrorrhiza ARACEAE, Arum family birah, senteh Sri Lanka? Naturalized through the tropics. Toxic & must be cooked to remove poison. Treats TB, fever, typhoid, snake & insect bites. Stems famine food. Gimlette: the juice relieves stings of giant nettle (Laportia), & Skeat: leaves for magic cure. Ornamental, but Burkill says ‘it is scarcely this’.
Amorphophalus sp. ARACEAE loki, lokai Genus of around 80 tuberous herbs found in Old World tropics, two are significant food crops. Poisonous (needle crystals of oxalate of lime) until pounded, grated, boiled. Tuber contains high percentage of starch. Flowers smell of carrion.
Archidendron jiringa / Pithecellobium jiringa LEGUMINOSAE subfamily Mimosoideae jering Burma, Thailand, W. Malesia. Fruit eaten raw or blanched. Pounded with ginger and boiled, to eliminate bladder stones. Purple dye from pods.
Averrhoa bilimbi OLAXIDACEAE belimbing buluh Moluku? Widely cultivated throughout SE Asia. Edible sour fruit, eaten raw as ulam, & in curries to give sour taste. Leaf infusion treats cough, & as tonic after childbirth; flower infusion for cough and thrush. Leaves treat venereal and rectal disease.
Belamcanda chinensis IRIDACEAE leopard flower China. Bitter, cool, antipyretic, antitoxic, liquifies sputum. For cough and wheezing, sore throat, rice field dermatitis.
Boesenbergia plicata var. lurida ZINGIBERACEAE
Bromheadia finlaysoniana ORCHIDACEAE
Citrus aurantifolia var. microcarpa RUTACEAE limau kasturi Up to 4m. small fruits used for juice. These planted in memory of Hj. Kasturi Hj. Idris.
Citrus sp. RUTACEAE limau purut This unidentified hybrid is more hardy than the common limau purut, but retains the strong pungency of leaves and fruit, and produces excellent juice.
Clerodendron fragrans VERBENACEAE pokok rabu kambang, exhilaration tree China. Used by Malays for rheumatism and ague, or with other substances for treating skin diseases. Now located across from entrance to Guesthouse.
Dracaena sp.
Garcinia atroviridis GUTTIFERAE asam gelugor Malay peninsula, Burma. Edible fruit, dried segments used as condiment. Leaf sap used in post natal tonics. Located on the edge of the Taman Sari, south of the Main House.
Gnetum gnemon GNETACEAE belinjau, meninjau Cultivated, seasonal, most likely introduced from eastern Indonesia. Fruit edible, seed roasted, flattened, dried and fried for empeng crackers.
Indigofera suffruticosa FABACEAE Grown from seed from mail order, a species from Central America. Did not produce useable dye, so removed, as it grew big and overshading.
Jasminum sambac OLEACEAE melor Tropical Asia? Flowers to scent tea, decoction of leaves & roots for fever, headaches, to stimulate lactation. Roots are used to treat asthma.
Licuala saribus ARECACEAE (PALMAE) Serdang Native to Southeast Asia. Grows from 12 to an exceptional 30 metres, fan leaves with serrated shark teeth-like spines along the leaf stems. Leaves can be used to thatch roofs and make hats.
Melia indica MELIACEAE neem Wild in India & Java, otherwise cultivated for medicines. All parts of tree effective. Dried leaves in books deter insects. Identified by delicate and curiously curved toothed leaflets. Root bark for fever and anti-malarial, leaf poultice for ulcers.
Melissa officinalis LABIATAE lemon balm Southern Europe. Culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herb. Mild sedative properties in refreshing tea, relieves wind, reduces fever, increases perspiration.
Ocimum basilicum LABIATACEAE selasih, basil Cooking herb. Boil and drink for flatulence and cough. Apply extract to ringworm, insect bites and toothache. Drunk after childbirth & to relieve irregular menstrual cycles. Soaked seeds help soothe stomach and stimulate bowel movement. The second image is of toolsi, a variety revered by the Malaysian Hindus, the third is of Lemon Basil, one of many varieties found in SE Asia. (C) https://rimbundahan.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/20240514_144448.jpg	https://rimbundahan.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/20240514_144448.jpg
Phaleria macrocarpa THYMELAEACEAE mahkota dewa West New Guinea, a small tree which produces red eclipsed-shaped fruit. The white pits are poisonous however parts of the plant are used to treat rashes and diarrhea. POISONOUS – DO NOT EAT
Platycerium ridleyi POLYPODIACEAE Ridley’s Staghorn Fern
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa MYRTACEAE kemunting Use leaves fruits and roots. Fruit for stomach ache and diarrhea, roots as an ingredient for women after childbirth. (Located outside the Taman Sari, in the window box of the Main House, and west of the Main House kitchen, under the cempaka tree.)
Scindapsus pictus ARACEAE
Selaginella moellendorffii SELAGINELLACEAE
Talinum paniculatum TALINACEAE jewels-of-opar Native to the Americas, cultivated in Southeast Asia as vegetable and for medicinal properties. Harvested for its edible leaves and used in ornamental settings.
Telosma cordata ASCLEPIADACEAE bunga siam, melati tongkeng, Tonkin creeper China, India. Edible fragrant flowers and leaves. Chinese in Java make sweetmeat of the fleshy roots. Flowers used in soup to treat weak eyes.
Tinospora crispa MENISPERMACEAE patawali India~Indo-China, Malaya, Philippines, Java. Antibacterial and antimalarial. Treats stomach ache, fever, gonorrhea and for deworming. Boil the stem and strain, drink once a day. Antiseptic: pound stem with sulphur and apply to wound.

Zingiber spectabile ZINGIBERACEAE tepus tundok, chadak Malaya, Sumatra. Sometimes used for flavouring. Leaves pounded to poultice swellings, cold leaf infusion to bathe eyelids. Name chadak infers connection with the occult (Burkill). Recently become a popular cut flower.