Calophyllum pulcherrimum: Additions to the Flora of Keppel Island

She is indeed a double beauty - beautiful, most beautiful. Calophyllum pulcherrimum derives her name from Greek Kalos - beautiful, and Latin pulcherrimum - most beautiful.

Last week, she set off a most spectacular firework of creamy white flowers shooting in all directions from her lofty perch atop the small hillock at Keppel Island. I could not have asked for a better start to my second flora survey of the island.

There was only one leaf at the foothill but I found it. A fine-veined somewhat glossy leaf a-glimmering in the light. It was as if cast down like a delicate silk handkerchief to snare my attention and say, "Hey Joe, I am here above. Look. Don't miss me out in your census ok".

I present you thus a list of additions (including Miss Beautiful-Most Beautiful) to the Flora of Keppel Island below.

Additions to the Flora of Keppel Island

Arthrophyllum diversifolium

Asystasia nemorum

Calophyllum pulcherrimum

Caryota mitis

Cissus hastata

Clidemia hirta

Cocos nucifera

Crinum asiatica

Dendrophthoe pentandra

Dicranopteris linearis

Dillenia suffructicosa

Elaeis guineensis

Fibraurea tinctoria

Ficus microcarpa

Lygodium circinnatum

Lygodium microphyllum

Mikania micrantha

Nephrolepis biserrata

Pandanus odoratissimus

Passiflora laurifolia

Ptychosperma macarthurii

Spathodea campanulata

Syzygium campanulatum

Taenitis blechnoides

Triphasia trifolia

Vitex pinnata