Putat Laut (HT 2012 189)

Reference ID
HT 2012-189

Scientific name: Barringtonia asiatica
Family name: Lecythidaceae
Girth: 3.38 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 16.2 m

Location
Singapore Botanic Gardens,
Healing Gardens

This is a large sea shore tree that can grow up to 30m. It is native to Singapore and to the coasts of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

This Heritage Tree could be the largest of its kind in Singapore in terms of girth. The seeds of this species are used as a fish poison. They are crushed and thrown in water, after which the fish are stunned/die by the saponin released from the seeds and float to the surface allowing them to be harvested.

This tree is dedicated to Vincent and Amanda Toh-Steckler for their contribution to the Garden City Fund.

For more information on this species, please refer to NParks Flora & Fauna Web profile here.

Gallery

View of Heritage Tree from the Healing Garden courtyard (📷: Brendon Phuah)

View of Heritage Tree from the water fountain at the base of the slope (📷: Hazri Boey)