Neram (HT 2023 325)

Reference ID
HT 2023-325

Scientific name: Dipterocarpus oblongifolius
Family name: Dipterocarpaceae
Girth: 2.3 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 20 m

Location
Singapore Botanic Gardens,
near Swiss Granite Fountain

The Neram or Keruing Neram is a large tree that can grow up to 30 m in height. Its trunk is often twisted with flaky, reddish-brown bark, and its leaves are often oblong in shape, thus the specific epithet oblongifolius ("oblong-leaved"). Its genus Dipterocarpus means "two-winged fruit" in Anceint Greek.

Native to Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo, the Neram can be found growing closely to one another along riverbanks, often leaning with their canopy hanging above the water. The winged fruits are dispersed by both wind and water, where the seeds will germinate along the river edge.

The name Keruing also refers to the timber from some Dipterocarpus species, and is usually used for building simple structures such flooring, staircases, paneling, boxes and crates. The timber from Neram is used by locals to build large padi-husking tables in their native range.

Neram Road and Neram Crescent, both located in Yio Chu Kang district, are named after this species' common name.

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

Gallery

📷: Hazri Boey