Types of Plants at Butterfly Garden
Rose Myrtle
Biological name: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Functions: Used in Traditional Chinese and Malay medicine - roots and leaves can be used to treat acute and chronic gastroenteritis and stomachache
Crushed leaves are used to bandage wounds
Interesting information: Fruits are sweet and edible and can be made into jams
Malabar melastome
Biological name: Melastoma malabathricum
Functions: Used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cuts and wounds, toothache, and stomachache
Interesting information: Seeds and fruits are edible but tasteless
The pulp will stain your tongue blue black
Seashore Ardisia
Biological name: Ardisia elliptica
Functions: Leaves or roots are used to treat heart pains
Interesting information: Food plant for the caterpillars of different types of butterflies and moths
Fruits are dispersed by birds
Peacock flower
Biological name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Function: The bark is used to treat diarrhoea
Interesting information: Seeds are poisonous
Eating extract of shade dried flowers cause mitochondria to kill itself and cells die
Attracts hummingbirds
River Tarenna
Biological name: Tarenna fragrans
Functions: Used as a landscape plant
Interesting information: Flowers have a delightful fragrance
Pollinated by birds
Red Tree Shrub
Biological name: Leea rubra
Functions: Leaves can be used to treat wounds
Roots can be used to reduce fevers, treat arthritis, rheumatism and stomachache
Fruits can be used to treat dysentery and yaws
Interesting information: Determined to be extinct in Singapore, however it had been since reintroduced through horticultural trade
Indian Camphorweed
Biological name: Pluchea indica
Functions: Consumed as a health promoting tea in Thailand
Has anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties
Fresh leaves can be used externally to relieve skin diseases
Interesting information: Leaves are used to make sambal chilli in some asian countries
Mistletoe Fig
Biological name: Ficus deltoidea
Functions: Used for regulating blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Used in traditional medicine among the Malays to alleviate and heal ailments, as an after-birth tonic and an antidiabetic drug
Interesting information: Golden leaves are considered as a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture
Malayan Ixora
Biological name: Ixora congesta
Function: Decoction of the roots is used as a sedative
Used in traditional medicines, eg. as an astringent and to treat dysentery and tuberculosis
Interesting information: Produces sweet nectar for ants and butterflies
Dwarf Glory Bush
Biological name: Tibouchina granulosa 'Jules'
Function: Grown as a landscape plant
Interesting information: Attracts various types of bees as pollinators
Pinwheel Jasmine
Biological name: Tabernaemontana divaricata
Functions: Believed to have antimicrobial action against infectious diseases like syphilis and leprosy as well as anti-parasitic action against worms, diarrhoea and malaria.
interesting information: Produces milky sap when injured
Indonesian Bay Leaf
Biological name: Syzygium polyanthum
Function: Leaf infusion and bark extract can be used to treat diarrhoea
Interesting information: Commonly used in Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Goreng
Fruits are consumed by various types of birds such as Jambu Fruit Dove and Cream-vented Bulbul
Indian Snakeweed
Biological name: Stachytarpheta indica
Functions: Fresh leaves are consumed in bush tea as a “cooling” tonic and blood cleanser; to treat asthma and ulcerated stomachs
Interesting information: Attracts butterflies
Maiden's Jealousy
Biological name : Tristellateia australasiae
Functions: Flowers are frequently visited by bees, butterflies, as well as sunbirds
Food plant for the caterpillars of the butterfly, the brown awl.
Interesting information: Commonly planted on trellises and vertical greening of buildings for its attractive yellow flowers
Mussaenda Pink
Biological name: Mussaenda erythrophylla
Function: Grown mainly as ornamental plant because of its stunning-coloured flowers
Interesting information: Hybrid between Mussaenda and Mussaenda philippica, created by the University of the Philippines