128 THE FLORA OF SINGAPORE. 



P. rostratum Roxb. Erect, rare, Bukit Timah. 



P. porphyrophyllum E. Br. A well known ornamental climbing 

 plant, leaves deep green spotted white and pink. Com- 

 mon but rarely flowering, dense woods, Bukit Timah, 

 Selitar, etc. 



(Peperomia exigua Miq. A little weed in gardens, on walls, etc., 

 introduced. Tanglin, Chan Chu Kang). 



Chloranthace.e. 



Cft!oranihii8 officinal?* Bl. Shrublet, with slender spikes of white 

 flowers and translucent white berries. Damp ravines in 

 jungles, local but abundant. Bukit Timah, Bukit Mandai, 

 Jurong. 



Myristtcaceae. 



The wild nutmegs are very plentiful in Singapore, occurring 

 in all the bigger jungles, but almost invariably in an isolated 

 manner, so that it is often by no means easy to get both sexes 

 of any species. They are all trees, varying in height from about 

 fifteen feet to 100 or more. The seeds seem to be (in all but 

 M. cinnamomea) deficient in aromatic properties, and are not 

 used by the natives at all. The timber is often good. The 

 native name for the cultivated Nutmeg is " Pala," the Mace be- 

 ing called " Bunga Pala," (literally flowers of Nutmeg). Many 

 of the wild species are called " Pala Hutan," etc.; but " Pendarah," 

 with the local variants Menarah, Mendarah, and Chendara, is 

 the common name for other species. 



M. elliptica Wall. Common, Bukit Timah, Bukit Mandai, Chan 

 Chan Chu Kang. var. Bukit Mandai, Chan Chu Kang. 



M. bracteata De C. A very large tree, rare, Bukit Timah. 



M. cinnamomea King. Not common, Bukit Mandai, Sumbawang, 

 Changi, Selitar. 



M, crassa King. Flowers orange, Garden jungle, Bukit Man- 

 dai, North Selitar, Sungei Morai. 



M. Lowiana King. Rare, Kranji. 



