The Katong Tree (Cynometra ramiflora)
We now look towards a tree that shares its namesake with an iconic neighbourhood known not only for its shophouse restaurants, but also a Peranakan styled laksa well loved by many.
The Katong Tree (Cynometra ramiflora), or colloquially known as the Katong Laut (“Sea Turtle'' in Malay), is named after the town of Tanjong Katong, which was once the south easternmost part of Singapore with a coastline. Tanjong Katong means “Turtle point” in Malay, and likely refers to a now extinct turtle that was once commonly seen along the coastlines of Katong before the land in front of it (now East Coast Park) was reclaimed.
Iconic dense, round crown
Similar to the Tampines Tree and Gelam Tree, the wood of this tree was locally used in the construction of various structures and items but in very limited quantities due to the low population of the tree. The wood is dark brown in colour and hard wearing, making it suitable for heavy construction components of beams, staircases, door and window frames etc.
Cross section of the Katong Tree’s wood
The Katong tree can grow to a maximum height of 25m, but is usually seen in the 6-9m height range around our parks and streetscapes. Native to Singapore, it is also a popular coastal plant as it naturally occurred along the Katong estate in the past.
It is easily identified by its crown of glossy, dark green leaves, which have an asymmetrically shaped base, similar to those of the Tampines Tree. These are lanceolate in shape whilst the leaves of the Tampines tree are tear drop shaped.
C. ramiflora
Sloetia elongatus
Its flushes of young leaves cover the entire tree from time to time, similar to other species in the Cynometra genus, in a brilliant pinkish-beige glow, but are less pendulous than others in its genus.
C. ramiflora
C. browneoides
Another one of its iconic features are its fruits, which can be easily spotted through their circular and brown, wrinkly shapes standing out against its dark green crown. These fruits are about 3cm by 3cm in size, and can be found in large numbers after the tree flowers.
There are no Katong trees that have been gazetted as Heritage Trees at the time of writing this article, so if you do spot one that fulfils the criteria to be a heritage tree, nominate it right here!
We now look towards a tree that shares its namesake with an iconic neighbourhood known not only for its shophouse restaurants, but also a Peranakan styled laksa well loved by many.
The Katong Tree (Cynometra ramiflora), or colloquially known as the Katong Laut (“Sea Turtle'' in Malay), is named after the town of Tanjong Katong, which was once the south easternmost part of Singapore with a coastline. Tanjong Katong means “Turtle point” in Malay, and likely refers to a now extinct turtle that was once commonly seen along the coastlines of Katong before the land in front of it (now East Coast Park) was reclaimed.
There are no Katong trees that have been gazetted as Heritage Trees at the time of writing this article, so if you do spot one that fulfils the criteria to be a heritage tree, nominate it right here!
Sources
MTC Wood Wizards, Malaysia, accessed at:
National Parks Board, Singapore, accessed at:
National Library Board, Singapore, accessed at:
Top Tropicals, USA, accessed at:
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