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