| Kampong Marble Tree (Family: Euphorbiaceae) |
| Sapium
indicum was a common native tree once esteemed by kampong children
in Singapore. Its hard and smooth fruits were eagerly collected and
played as marbles. Unfortunately, most of these trees had been wiped
off locally through land conversion. I have not seen one in Singapore
personally, except in Malaysia. But fret not. There is, however, an unusual way of getting them yourself. You see, they are trees of tidal creeks and rivers, and if the sea current flows in your favour, Johore rivers will generously supply you with some as flotsams washed ashore on Singapore's east coast beaches. Poor fellow Singaporeans, how have we lost our 'marbles'?! Ha ha! |
