Leopard Tree (HT 2017 287)

Reference ID
HT 2017-287

Scientific name: Libidibia ferrea
Family name: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Girth: 2.6 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 10 m

Location
Esplanade Park, near
Connaught Drive

The Leopard Tree originates from Eastern Brazil and is popularly planted in Singapore for its ornamental characteristics. A handsome deciduous tree with beautiful mottled bark, it can grow up to 20 m tall. The multi-hued patches of bark on the trunk resemble a leopard’s hide, giving rise to its another common name, Leopard Tree. It was formerly known as Caesalpinia ferrea.

The tree has an attractive feathery looking umbrella-shaped crown. The fine-textured bi-pinnate compound leaves have oval to round leaflets that grow on drooping branches. The small flowers are bright yellow with red spots, lightly fragrant and borne in bunches. The seed pods are thick and turn from green to dark brown as they mature.

The specific epithet ferrea means 'iron' in Latin and referes to the extremely dense and heavy wood, which is often used for making furniture, flooring and fingerboards for electric basses and guitars. Unlike most other types of wood which float in water, seasoned wood of the Leopard Tree is so dense that it will sink instead!

This fine specimen at Esplanade Park had a girth of 2.6 m when it was endorsed as a Heritage Tree in 2017. This tree is dedicated to Singtel for their contribution to the Garden City Fund.

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

Gallery

📷: Brendon Phuah