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Heritage Trees of Singapore
NorthTembusu2003

Tembusu (HT 2003-57)

This Heritage Tree can be found at Lagos Circle, opposite House No. 211.

A tall tree with green leaves stands by a curved road, surrounded by a fence and more trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Heritage Tree Information

Reference ID
HT 2003-57

Scientific name: Cyrtophyllum fragrans
Family name: Gentianaceae
Girth: 4.4 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 30.4 m

Location
Lagos Circle, opp House No. 211 (View Map) (opens in new tab)

The Tembusu is a large evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres in height. When young, its crown takes on a conical shape, gradually becoming lofty and irregular as the tree matures. The trunk is distinguished by its dark brown, fissured bark. Its leaves are simple and light green in colour, measuring 5-8 cm in length. The flowers are creamy white, turning yellow with age, and are strongly fragrant, particularly during the late evenings. The fruits are tiny red berries that take more than three months to fully mature. The tree is native to Singapore and is found across a range stretching from Northeast India to Southeast Asia.

It was recorded that in the past when they were numerous, the Malayan Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus) fed on the berries of the Tembusu in season. Other than bats and birds, the berries were too bitter to be relished by other animals. The wood was extremely durable and resistant to termite attack, making it highly suitable for heavy construction, bridges and carving. In fact, the wood was so hard that a Malay metaphor compares it to a hard heart.

For more information on this species, please refer to NParks' Flora & Fauna Web profile. (opens in new tab)