AddGrainOnEarth

Somebody in this garden

Posted on November 10, 2015

Who is the somebody?

Oh! It is  the Madras Thorn ( Pithecellobium duice). A 26 meter tall man sitting in the garden of Armenian Church Of St. Gregory The Illuminator, Singapore.

This unique National Heritage tree, girth 7.4m, crown is bushy and widely spread, dull green in color.

A native of tropical America, it was introduced to the region in the olden day by the Portugese and the Spanish.

Leaves are very special with a pair of leaflet on both sides of the leaf stalk. That’s why a Chinese name “金龟子” was given, literally means a “flying Goliathus”.

Pulp is edible, fruits are coiled pods which ripen a tinge of rose-red in color.

Madras Thorn, was once a common trees planted along roadsides of Singapore. During the 70s, the species was attacked by caterpillars throughout the Singapore. Result in phased out from housing estate and roadsides subsequently.

Next time, if you happen to pass by Hill St, not to forget pay a visit to this lovely tree or even have a glimpse at the bus stop.