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Flora and reproductive phenology of the rain forest at Bukit Timah, Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Richard T. Corlett
Richard T. Corlett
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 0511
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Abstract

The 71 ha Bukit Timah Nature Reserve contains the largest surviving area of primary rain forest in Singapore. The recorded vascular plant flora of the forest consists of at least 854 species: 787 angiosperms in 109 families, 65 pteridophytes and three gymnosperms. 58.6% of the species are trees or shrubs, 18.7% climbers, 12.3% terrestrial herbs, 8.8% epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes, 1.0% saprophytes and 0.6% parasites. The four families with most species -Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidaceae and Moraceae - account for a quarter of the angio-sperm flora but contribute few large trees. Community reproductive phenology is charac-terized by supra-annual bursts of general flowering and fruiting, contrasting with a low back-ground level. After an exceptionally dry and sunny February, 1987, more than 150 species in 42 families flowered between late March and late May, followed by an equally well-defined fruiting peak 13 weeks later, between late June and late August.

Keywords

diversityfloweringfruitingphenologyrain forestSingaporeSouth-east Asia
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , February 1990 , pp. 55 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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