Off-Shore IslandsTanjong Tree2003

Tanjong Tree (HT 2003-93)

This Heritage Tree can be found in Sentosa, Madame Tussauds forecourt.

A large tree stands next to a shaded wooden structure in a park with benches and green surroundings.

📷: Brendon Phuah

Heritage Tree Information

Reference ID
HT 2009-93

Scientific name: Mimusops elengi
Family name: Sapotaceae
Girth: 3.82 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 9.2 m

Location
Sentosa, Madame Tussands Singapore forecourt (View Map) (opens in new tab)

The Tanjong Tree is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 m in height. It has a rounded crown, and the leaves are smooth and simple with wavy margins. Its white flowers are small and star-shaped with a sweet smell.

The fruit is orange red with velvety skin and contains a single large hard seed. Birds such as the Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) (opens in new tab), Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) (opens in new tab) and Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) (opens in new tab) feed on the ripe fruit.

In the past, children would string the dried star-like flowers into necklaces. The tree has many traditional medicinal uses: the leaves are used to ease headaches, the bark is used to treat pimples, and the roots are used to soothe sore throats.

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