
Native Species
Tembusu
Tembusu
(fagraea fragrans)
c. 19th century
A native tree that Singapore shares with her neighbours in the region, as it is also native to Myanmar through to Malesia and New Guinea. The tembusu tree stands out with its deeply fissured, dark brown trunk and its massive height of up to 40 metres. It bears flowers that opens in the evening and emits a strong fragrance. Meanwhile, tembusu timber has been used for various purposes, including railway sleepers, houses and bridges.