Roger McIlroy and Monique Desvoyes

Transcription

1 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Volume 4: Beachcombing by Roger McIlroy and Monique Desvoyes Photographs by Roger McIlroy (RM) Monique Desvoyes (MD) Claudia and Walter Obendrauf (CO) Novi E. Yusniasita Dols (NY) Hans Dols (HD) 1 st Edition: Jan 2009 Panaga Natural History Society Panaga, Seria, Brunei Darussalam

2 1) Cerbera (Pong-Pong) 2) Seashore Screwpine (Pandan) 3) Excocaria (Gurah) 4) Rhizophora (Bakau Kurap) 5) Casuarina (Aru, Ru) 6) Sea Almond (Ketapang) 7) Alexandrine Laurel (Penaga Laut) 8) Nipa (Abong) 9) Xylocarpus (Nyireh Bunga) 10) Acacia (Akacia) 11) Lithocarpus (Langguai Ambok, Mempening) 12) Bruguiera (Lenggadai)

3 This group of the commonest drift seeds or disseminules found on Panaga Beach by Claudia Obendrauf captures the diversity of form, texture and colour which makes a collection so interesting (CO)

4 Printed by Brunei Press Commercial Printing Services Website: Tel: st Edition published in Jan 2009 ISBN Copyright 2009 in text: Roger McIlroy and Monique Desvoyes Copyright 2009 in photographs: Roger McIlroy, Monique Desvoyes and Claudia Obendrauf or as credited All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders. Contact the authors and find out more about this series via: PNHS website: Cover Photograph: The complete giant composite seedhead of the Nypa Palm Nypa fruticans is a sought after find for the beachcomber (RM) Printed in Brunei Darussalam All proceeds from this series will support the Heart of Borneo initiative.

5 Contents Section 1: Beachcombing... 1 Alexandrine Laurel (Penaga Laut)... 8 Artocarpus (Chempedak and Jackfruit)... 9 Avicennia (Api-Api)... 9 Barringtonia, Box Fruit (Putat Laut) Belian, Ironwood (Belian) Bluemeodendron (Gangulang) Bruguiera (Lenggadai, Mata Buaya) Cashew (Jagus) Casuarina (Aru,Ru) Cerbera (Pong-pong) Coconut (Kelapa) Dalbergia, Coin Vine or Coin Plant Dioclea, Sea Purse Dipterocarps (Pengiran) Durian (Durian) Entada Eugeissona (Tanjang pipit, Rumbia Bukit) Excoecaria (Gurah, Apid-apid) Heritiera (Itik-itikan, Dungun laut) Hodgsonia Intsia (Merbau, Ipil, Kwila) Kapayang (Kapayang) Kulim (Kulim, Bawang hutan) Lithocarpus (Mempening) Mallotus (Mallotus) Mango (Mangga) Mucuna Mengkulat (Mengkulat, Buak-buak jari itik) Nickar Nut (Sapang) Nypa Palm (Apong Nipah) Oil Palm (Kepala sawit) Quassia (Manuggal) Rattan (Ratan) and Asam Paya (Asam Paya) Rengas (Rengas Ayer)... 42

6 Rhizophora (Bakau Kurap and Bakau Minyak) Rubber (Pokok Getah) Saga, Red Sandalwood, Coral Tree (Saga) Sea Almond (Talisai Ketapang) Sea Lettuce (Ambong-ambong) Sea Randa Seashore Screwpine (Pandan) Silingi (Silingi, Sapang) Sonneratia, Mangrove Apple (Perepat, Pedada) Vatica (Resak) Wattle (Akasia) Xylocarpus (Nyireh Bunga) Resin Dammar Gum (Mata Kucing) Seaweed Sargassum Logs and Timber Fungi Fishing Equipment Footprints and Trails UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) Where to Find Out More About Tropical Seeds & Fruit Beachcombing and Safety Tips How to Preserve Your Specimens How to Enhance the Appearance of your Sea-beans How to Grow your Seed Beachcombing Terminology References Websites Checklist and Index to Species For readers who wish to locate species in this book using their scientific names, please see the Checklist and Index to species.

7 Foreword Dr Grahaeme Henderson Managing Director, Brunei Shell Petroleum Care and concern for the environment is an integral part of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) s business. Our efforts were duly recognised in 2008 when we won the prestigious Shell Chief Executive HSSE global award for environmental performance. Everyone in Brunei Darussalam is proud of this huge achievement. BSP is the leader in the private sector in providing support for the Government s conservation efforts. We contribute significantly towards the Government-led, landmark biodiversity conservation initiative, the Heart of Borneo. We also partner the Government on a wide range of initiatives, including the Anduki forest reserve biodiversity plan, Sungai Seria wetlands, PRYNSA schools outreach programme, and numerous eco tourism projects. BSP is delighted to sponsor this series of booklets on the seashore life of Brunei Darussalam written by our employees, along with contributors from Panaga Natural History Society and others passionate about the environment. Well researched and attractively illustrated, they will further add to efforts to promote this country s incredibly rich, hugely diverse and largely pristine environment to a wider audience. Looking after our environment is vital for today, tomorrow and for future generations.

8 Preface Hans Dols Honorary President, Panaga Natural History Society (PNHS) Many who visit Brunei s tropical seashore will be quickly aware they are entering a very special place. This is a new world with much to be seen, touched and explored. All will be fascinated by the diversity of our coastal ecosystem and want to find out why it is so important to them and to Brunei. What started as short leaflets to illustrate our beach excursions has grown into a series of booklets presenting a whole gamut of information dealing with our coastal flora, fauna, and the physical environment we all share. Roger McIlroy compiled the information from various sources and with the help of contributors from the PNHS and others involved in preserving Brunei s environment has spent many hours distilling the best information on a multitude of topics and has managed to write all this down in a very handy and readable format fit for a wide audience. This series of booklets are only a start and the PNHS hopes that many will be inspired by this work to create further editions on the seashore life and indeed on other wildlife of Brunei to help sustain these wonders for posterity.

9 Acknowledgements We wish to acknowledge the pioneering work in this field of Marina Wong, Aziah binte Hj. Ahmad and Esther Lee of the Brunei Museum for their inspirational 1996 publication on the Common Seashore Life of Brunei, the first widely available publication featuring the nuts, fruits and seeds on Brunei beaches. Thanks also to Serena Lee and her colleagues in the Herbarium at the Singapore Botanic Gardens for their significant support. A large part of Monique s important collection of nuts and fruits from Brunei are in safe keeping and available for study at the Herbarium. Thanks also to Claudia Obendrauf, Jacqueline Henrot and Novi E. Yusniasita Dols for botanical input, Jackie Maskall for editorial input, the BSP External Affairs team, and the Brunei Press Commercial Printing Services team.

10 The Heart of Borneo Initiative The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has for many years been driving initiatives to protect the biodiversity of the Borneo rainforest. In addition, efforts to promote responsible forest trade have reached new milestones. In November 2003, the WWF brought to Singapore groups such as Conservation International (CI), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC); where it was agreed that the concept of a transboundary conservation area in Borneo should be promoted, with WWF taking the lead. This area became known as the Heart of Borneo, and this programme is leading the way to conserve one of the world s most precious biodiversity treasures. The support of the three nations that make up the island of Borneo, Brunei, Brunei on NW Coast of Borneo

11 The signatories of the Declaration on the Heart of Borneo Initiative: Three Countries, One Conservation Vision. Brunei s signatory, Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, on far left (Brunei Forestry Dept) Indonesia and Malaysia, was secured, culminating in the Declaration on The Heart of Borneo Initiative signed in Bali, Indonesia, in February This wonderful fact means that the rainforest is within reach of everyone. When you visit the seashore in Brunei, you will find the seeds and nuts of trees from the deepest rainforest, so instead of you going to the rainforest, the rainforest has come to you!.. The Heart of Borneo, with its message of: Three Countries, One Conservation Vision covers a total of 220,000 square km of equatorial The preliminary demarcation of the Brunei HoB rainforest showing it following the Belait River reaching the South China Sea west of Kuala Belait (RM)

12 rainforest through a network of protected areas and sustainably-managed forest, and through international co-operation led by the governments of the three countries. Brunei has the highest proportion of its land area covered by rainforest and is unique and special in that the Heart of Borneo rainforest continues into the lowlands. This means the HoB rainforest is never far from the coast throughout Brunei, and actually reaches the seashore of the South China Sea in the Belait District near Kuala Belait, and Brunei Bay in Temburong. This the fourth volume in this series describes the treasures to be found from beachcombing on this seashore and follows on from the booklets describing the Physical Environment, Seashore Plants and Seashells. Many of the varied seeds and nuts pictured in this booklet are gathered together here for a group photo. (RM)

13 beachcombing Beachcombing Introduction The Heart of Borneo coastline offers a world class location for the collection and study of washed-up seeds and fruit (technically called drift disseminules ) and a wide selection of other flotsam and jetsam. The orientation of the coastline means that both the SW monsoon and NE monsoon winds can carry floating seeds and fruits ashore from all countries surrounding the South China Sea and there are even ocean currents (see below) that can bring examples from North and South America. Monique in four years collected 138 different kinds of disseminules mostly on northern Brunei beaches, with 118 of them being identified. Roger has collected mostly between Kuala Belait and Seria. This book includes descriptions of those seeds and fruits that can commonly be found on the heart of Borneo beaches. Ocean currents showing the North Equatorial currents that can carry seeds from South America to South East Asia (Ref W16) 1

14 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo The seashore beside the Kuala Belait breakwater: prime beachcombing territory (BSP) Of course, many of these seeds and fruits have derived from vegetation beside the beach, or floated down the Sungai Seria or Sungai Belait, or even the mighty Sungai Baram in Sarawak with its vast catchment area and myriad tributaries that bring seeds from the very heart of Borneo. One question some of us will ask is Why are these seeds here? Why has the parent plant put so much energy into generating so many seeds that are waterproof, can float, and will end up on a beach where they will rot in the sun to be picked over by crabs and other beach life. The answer is that there must be an evolutionary advantage in producing seeds of this type. It may not be obvious when we see some seeds germinate, and grow quickly only to be washed away by the next high tide or king tide. However, where a delta is growing as more sediments are brought 2

15 beachcombing downriver, then the newly formed land will be quickly colonised by floating seeds. Similarly, when sea levels fall during ice ages, newly exposed land will be colonised by plants from floating seeds. We have also recently seen the effect of tsunami, and know that these are relatively common events geologically speaking. A tsunami wave will carry floating seeds and fruit a mile inland or two or more up river systems (Ref W13). The vegetation of this inundated land may be to a large degree damaged due to the seawater content of the floodwater. Floating seeds often have a high tolerance for salinity, and are often large, with lots of stored nutrition for the embryo root system, and can then be the first to colonise the area, thus establishing a dominant position, before conditions restabilise. Another opportunity for the floating seed to germinate comes after volcanic Aceh West Coast, Sumatra after the 2004 Tsunami showing the wide strip of flattened coastal vegetation, ready to be colonised by disseminules (Gregson Edwards, AusAID) 3

16 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Krakatoa in Feb 2008 still showing extensive ash deposits that smother previous vegetation and allows seaborne seeds to take hold (Ref W28f). eruptions. Krakatoa, a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia is the most famous volcano in the region, and has had repeated massive eruptions through recorded history. The best known eruption was in 1883, which was among the most violent volcanic events in modern times. With a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 6, it was equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT about 13,000 times the power of the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima, Japan in the second world war (Ref W28f). In 1886 a botanist listed the wide range of stranded disseminules that had come ashore, and by 1929 further study showed all the listed species had taken hold and become an integral part of the island s flora. The study showed that about half of the flora had been introduced by drifting, more than any other means of seed transmission (Ref 1 p36). 4

17 beachcombing Artist s impression of a meteor entering the upper atmosphere on the way to a major impact event (Ref W28g). Orders of m a g n i t u d e greater than e a r t h q u a k e t s u n a m i s and volcanic eruptions in their potential scale of devastation are meteor strikes. An asteroid a few kilometers in diameter may release as much energy as several million nuclear weapons detonating, one after another. If these strike the ocean, which is quite likely as ocean covers 71% of the Earth s surface, then a tsunami will result. A recent discovery of chevrons of sediment reaching up mountainsides in Madasgascar led to the finding of the huge (29km diameter) Burckle Crater, 12,500 ft below the surface of the Indian Ocean. This is considered to have produced a produced a mega-tsunami at least 180 m high and took place only 4, years ago. The rate of discoveries of craters with improved imaging of the earth s surface topography and subsurface geology indicate that the rate of asteroid impacts may be much larger than previously thought, and therefore be a key driver to evolution of coastal flora (Ref W28g). Many stranded seeds and fruits have been floating for months or even years. Even after a long time in the sea many are still viable (Ref 1). In research into flotation times, tests have demonstrated that a Barringtonia asiatica 5

18 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo The father of beachcombing? Christopher Columbus by the Florentine painter Ridolfo Ghirlandaio ( ) (Ref W28e) can still float after fifteen years, while a coconut may still float after thirty-four years. As buoyancy aids, seeds and fruits have evolved either a lightweight fibrous, spongy or corky coat, or lightweight cotyledonary tissue, and very often feature an air cavity within. The Sea Heart is said to have inspired Christopher Columbus, discoverer of America, to search for undiscovered lands across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe. The mother plants of these mysterious gifts from the sea were unknown in Europe, (the sea heart comes from a West Indies vine), yet sea hearts were commonly washed up on European beaches, brought north (we now know) by the Gulf Stream from the Caribbean. Columbus is believed by some to have gained confidence from the sea heart that by sailing west he would indeed reach new land, and not (as many thought at the time) fall off the end of the world! This legend is so strong, the sea heart is called favas de Colom - the Columbusbean, in the Azores. So it could be said that America would not have been discovered when it was, if not for beachcombing and the humble sea heart. This booklet will help you to identify the most distinctive items that you Some people in the 14th Century still believed the Earth to be flat. (Heikenwaelder Hugo, RefW28h) 6

19 beachcombing will encounter while beachcombing, and their parent trees, which you can identify when you explore more of the coastline, mangroves and rivers of Brunei. Some of the seeds you find will actually germinate if planted; in fact you will find that some have already germinated on the beach. Others can be polished to make decorative jewellery or ornamentation. Species are described with the common English name first (where available) with the Malay name in brackets afterwards, then the scientific name in italics and then the family name. A terminology section is included at the end of this booklet where the meanings of technical terms used can be found, and there is also a checklist for recording your collecting successes. Nypa Palm seed that has drifted so long it has been colonised by oysters (RM) 7

20 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Alexandrine Laurel (Penaga Laut) Calophyllum inophyllum Fam. Clusiaceae Calophyllum inophyllum Round smooth and hard nut of a yellow-brown colour about 2 cm long with a few fine fibres adhering (RM) Alexandrine Laurel is a member of the Clusiaceae family which includes about 36 genera and 1630 species of trees and shrubs, often with milky sap and fleshy fruits called drupes. A drupe (peaches and plums are examples) has a fleshy outer layer and a single hard stone that encloses the seed. This attractive tree has a round fruit, pingpong ball size, that starts pinkish green, before turning bright green and ripening to dark grey-brown. Under the leathery skin is a bony stone made of a cork-like substance that holds one seed. The seed is slightly toxic. A relative of this plant, the Bingtangor Tree (Calophyllum lanigerum var. austrocoriaceum) produces a newly identified compound, Calanolide A, that was found highly effective in controlling the AIDS virus in laboratory tests. The compound was extracted from a twig and fruit of a tree growing in Sarawak, Malaysia. When researchers returned to get more material, the tree had already been chopped down! Fortunately, other trees of the same species were found close by. Calanolide A has since been synthesised and is still being tested as an AIDS control. 8

21 beachcombing Artocarpus Fam. Moraceae Chempedak (Pulutan) Artocarpus integer Jackfruit (Nangka) Artocarpus heterophyllus Artocarpus is a member of the Fig or Moraceae family which comprises about 40 genera and over 1000 species of plants widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less common in temperate climates. The fruit is large and distinctive, (an individual fruit can weigh up to 25 kg) with a thick knobbly skin, but it is a relatively uncommon find on the seashore and may be a reject from a ship s galley! Chempedak Artocarpus integer on left, Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus on right (RM) Avicennia (Api-Api) probably Avicennia alba Fam. Avicenniaceae The Avicennia family of mangrove trees occuring in the intertidal zones of estuarine areas, and has characteristic aerial roots. Species of Avicennia occur worldwide south of the Tropic of Cancer. It is the first mangrove tree to appear on entering the Sungai Seria from the sea. It has greyish green leaves and vertical breathing Avicennia seeds (RM) roots. The washed up fruit is heart shaped with the seed often already germinating within. 9

22 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Barringtonia, Box Fruit, (Putat Laut) Fam. Lecythidaceae Barringtonia asiatica Barringtonia conoidea Barringtonia racemosa Barringtonia revoluta Barringtonia Barringtonia asiatica fruits (RM) Barringtonia is a member of the Brazil Nut or Lecythidaceae family. This family are among the most spectacular plants in the world because of their showy flowers and large woody fruits. They are the dominant plant species in the Amazonian forests and comprise a family of about 20 genera and species of woody plants native to tropical South America and Madagascar (Ref W22). Barringtonia species deliver an absolutely splendid range of seeds to the 10

23 beachcombing seashore. Barringtonia asiatica is one of the most widespread of all drifters; so buoyant and durable are its fruit that they were used in the past as fishing floats. The enclosed seed contains a toxin used to catch fish. B. asiatica fruits are a very distinctive square cone shape, green when fresh becoming brown with age. Barringtonia Barringtonia racemosa (RM) Barringtonia racemosa is tear shaped while Barringtonia conoidea has eight fins or wings surrounding the fruit. Barringtonia revoluta is another distinctive Barringtonia with a square shaped cross section but barrel shaped and tapered at both ends rather than lantern shaped like the B. asiatica. The fibrous inner structure of Barringtonia is exposed on maturity to create one of the most attractive beachcombing finds. Barringtonia revoluta fruiting tree (MD) Fresh Barringtonia conoidea fruit (RM) Barringtonia revoluta showing semi-square cross section (RM) 11

24 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo 12 Weathered Barringtonia conoidea with internal fibres exposed to display the beautiful complex structure (RM)

25 beachcombing Belian, Ironwood (Belian) Fam. Lauraceae Belian Eusideroxylon zwageri Belian (Malagangai) Potoxylon malagangai The mystery seed, Belian (Ironwood) Potoxylon malagangai or is it Barringtonia sarcostachys or Barringtonia lanceolata? (RM). The Belian fruit disseminule is not common on the seashore, but the author (RM) has found three in Panaga, two in March 2007 and one in July This disseminule has generated a great deal of debate. It was considered by Marina Wong (Ref 3) as the most beautiful in Brunei but she could not identify it. Hans Hazebroek identified it in his Gunung Mulu guide (Ref 2, p.71) as examples of the famous hardwood tree, Belian Eusideroxylon malagangai. (He perhaps means Potoxylon malagangai as a recent (2006) publication quotes two similar species of Belian as Eusideroxylon zwageri and Potoxylon malagangai (W32)). Hjh Kamariah (Ref 9, pp. 55, 13

26 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo 77) suggests it is a Barringtonia, Barringtonia sarcostachys, while other experts have suggested Barringtonia lanceolata. The Barringtonia sarcostachys proposal was confirmed by a local guide at Tasek Merimbun. (Ref 12) The fruit is shaped like an avocado, 12.5 cm long, 7 cm wide, and round in cross section and so light it seems to be hollow and empty. The outer layer consists of a distinctive intertwined lattice system while some eight parallel ribs can be seen at the top and between the veins. It is a very beautiful and amazing fruit. Fruit of Belian (Ref W20) A second Belian species, Eusideroxylon zwageri, also produces a very attractive seed but without the latticework. Belian or ironwood is one of the most renowned timbers of Borneo due to its toughness. Local pirate boats of the 18 th century were built of ironwood to resist cannon fire! However due to over exploitation in its lowland primary rainforest habitat it is now on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Indonesia has banned the export of Belian and Sarawak has placed restrictions on its export. Belian: Eusideroxylon zwageri (RM) 14

27 beachcombing Blumeodendron (Gangulang) Blumeodendron tokbrai Fam. Euphorbiaceae This attractive nut bears a small keel, and is generally a round (globose) shape. The keel is distinctive in that it is often folded over or flattened against the surface of the nut at its end. The nut is slightly spongy, and if broken open, the buoyant thick corky outer layer can be seen, and the walnut shaped cream coloured kernel exposed. Folded over keel of this Blumeodendron tokbrai (RM) A Blumeodendron tree can be inspected in Mulaut Park, Bandar and fallen nuts collected at its base. Blumeodendron tokbrai nuts showing variations in the keel, and the folded over effect (RM) 15

28 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo 16 In a brief respite between high tides, disseminules race their shoots upwards hoping that they have discovered a secure substrate. Sadly here they will have no chance as this ledge on Ringers Dyke, Seria will be swept clean during the NE Monsoon (RM)

29 beachcombing Bruguiera (Lenggadai, Mata Buaya) Bruguiera sexangula Fam. Rhizophoraceae Bruguiera Bruguiera sexangula calyx and hypocotyl (usually found separately on the beach) (RM) Bruguiera is found higher up estuaries than Avicennia, where salinity is lower. The seedling grows for some time as a hypocotyl, that is to say the root grows while still attached to the parent plant giving it a better chance of survival when it eventually drops off. The hypocotyl is green, stubby and shorter than that of Rhizophora. The calyx (the holder for the hypocotyl) is yellow or red. By the time it arrives on the beach the seedling will usually have turned blackish in colour and lost the calyx. Historically Bruguiera bark was used in the production of tannin, producing mangrove cutch (Ref W27b). The tannin was extracted by boiling the bark in large vessels and evaporating down to a solid brown-black mass, the cutch. Boiled bark or dissolved cutch can both be used for dyeing textile fibres and leather in various shades of orange to reddish brown. Bruguiera Bruguiera sexangula calyx and hypocotyl in dehydrated form (RM) 17

30 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Cashew (Jagus) Anacardium occidentale Fam. Anacardiaceae Although the plant is native to northeastern Brazil. Vietnam is the main producer today with nearly a million tons/year (Ref 30). Its English name derives from the Portuguese name for the fruit of the cashew tree, caju. It is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew nuts (see below) and cashew apples. The fruit is very unusual, in that it has an edible oval or pear-shaped pseudofruit or false fruit called the cashew apple, a yellow and/or red structure about 5 11 cm long. It is edible, and has a strong sweet smell and a sweet taste. The true fruit is the kidney or boxing-glove shaped drupe that grows at the end of the pseudofruit. Within the true fruit is the cashew nut, within which is the seed, which confusingly is what we actually call the cashew nut. The true fruit has to be carefully handled as the skin contains a potent skin irritant toxin also found in the related poison ivy, while the true nut contains a toxic resin. Thankfully, roasting the nut destroys the toxins. 18 Mature Cashew fruit (Ref 29b) Cashew nut (RM) Immature Cashew fruit (CO)

31 beachcombing Casuarina (Aru, Ru) Casuarina equisetifolia Fam. Casuarinaceae These are the biggest and fastest growing trees on the seashore yet the cones contain some of the smallest seeds! When you find a small spiky pine type cone, a few remaining tiny wind dispersed seeds can often be shaken out. Casuarina Casuarina equisetifolia cone (RM) Cones of Casuarina Casuarina equisetifolia on a dead tree toppled by beach erosion, Sg Seria (RM) 19

32 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Cerbera (Pong-Pong) Cerbera odollam Fam. Apocynaceae Cerbera (Pong-Pong) fruits in various stages of decay (RM) Named after Cerberus, the hell hound from Greek mythology, this poisonous tree has grapefruit sized fruit that are one of the commonest finds on the beach. Once ripe, when the red/black skin and the thin layer of white flesh are gone, the distinctive spongy brown fibrous interior appears. Twisting the two halves apart reveals in the centre one or two poisonous seeds. These are pure white with a fragile brown seed coat. They can often be seen germinated on the Cerbera with skin still intact (RM) upper beach between spring tides. 20

33 beachcombing Spectacular fibrous interior exposed in the Cerbera (Pong-Pong), a common beach find (RM) 21

34 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo 22 The coconut is a giant drupe, that is a fleshy fruit like a peach, with a single hard stone or nut that encloses the huge seed. A coconut s flesh of course being tough and fibrous. The seed has a large store of food (the white coconut meat and coconut water) to allow the young plant to dig its roots deep before its energy supply runs out. The plastic bottle is another unfortunately too common beach sight. Why not take a plastic bag and clear a few each time you visit the beach. If everyone did that, the beach will be clean in no time! (NY)

35 beachcombing Coconut (Kelapa) Cocos nucifera Fam. Arecaceae Both green and brown coconuts can be found. Green coconuts are immature and do not fall off the tree by themselves so green nuts have usually been picked for the coconut water. A big nut contains up to one litre and it makes a refreshing drink. A few months later, when the outer husk has turned brown and the nut has ripened, it will fall from the palm of its own accord. By this time the coconut water has become somewhat bitter. Coconuts Cocos nucifera mature on left and immature on right (RM) Dalbergia, Coin Vine or Coin Plant Dalbergia monosperma Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Papilionoideae Da l b e r g i a s c o m m o n name of Coin Vine or Coin Plant is related to its flattened shape and its papery brown case which gives it the appearance of a large copper coin. Dalbergia Dalbergia monosperma showing flattened shape and papery brown case (RM) 23

36 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo The bright green endosperm (nourishment in the seed for the embryo plant) inside easily splits in two. Many species of Dalbergia are important timber trees, valued for their decorative and often fragrant wood, rich in aromatic oils. The most famous of these are the rosewoods, so-named because of their scent. Monique s finds of Dalbergia sp. in Brunei has however always been on a rather small vine. Dioclea, Sea Purse Dioclea hexandra Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Papilionoideae The Sea Purse is one of the classic disseminules of beachcombing literature and is one of the group popularly called sea beans discussed and much sought after by the beachcombing fraternity. The name sea purse refers to its resemblance to the English version of a purse, i.e. a small pouch for carrying money, rather than the American word meaning a handbag. Its specific name honours Diocles of Carystos, an Athenian in ancient Greece who had such a great knowledge of plants that among the ancients only the famous Hippocrates could be said to have known more. Dioclea seeds from top and side. The dark brown line is called the hilum where the seed was attached to the pod wall (the plant version of the belly button!) (Note the lower seed in the left caption is Rubber (Hevea sp.)) (RM) 24

37 beachcombing Dipterocarps (Pengiran) Anisoptera sp. Fam. Dipterocarpaceae Dipterocarp two winged fruit. Similar to Anisoptera reticulata (Ref 9 P66) (RM) North Borneo including Brunei is probably the richest area in the world for dipterocarp species (Ref 8). The botanical name is derived from Greek (di = two, pteron = wing and karpos = fruit) and refers to the famous and distinctive two-winged fruit. Many form very tall emergent trees, the Shorea (Shorea faguetiana) claiming to be the tallest at 88.3m (Ref 28c). Unfortunately their size makes them a target for logging and many species are becoming endangered. DNA studies show that Asian dipterocarps share a common ancestor with the Sarcolaenaceae, a tree family endemic to Madagascar, suggesting that a common ancestor was present on the southern supercontinent of Gondwana, and that this ancestor of the Asian dipterocarps was carried northward by India when it broke off 167 milllion years ago, to collide with Asia and allowed the dipterocarps to spread across Southeast Asia and Malaysia (Ref 28c). 25

38 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Durian (Durian) Durio zibethinus Fam. Durionaceae Another unlikely find, and probably from a sailor s lunch, but still an interesting addition to the collection. The Durians are endemic to South East Asia, with most species in lowland forest with a few adapted to swamp forest conditions. There are six genera and forty-five species. It is beyond doubt most widely known for its fruit. The taste of this (in) famous fruit is beyond compare according to aficionados and like eating a sweet raspberry blancmange while sitting in a lavatory by novelist Anthony Burgess. However.. be brave! Those who overcome the negative messages from their nose often become lifelong addicts, and you may even become a Durian connoisseur, able to detect the ripeness and quality of the inner pulp by shaking the fruit and listening to the sound. You will know never to pick a Durian, but rather to let it fall, and you will be rewarded with the edible pulp, rich in vitamins B, C and E and a high iron content, with a further bonus of having the reputation of being an aphrodisiac! (Ref 11) Durian Durio zibethinus segment (RM) 26

39 beachcombing Entada Entada rheedii Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Mimosoideae Complete Entada Entada rheedii? seed pod (example not from Brunei) (Ref W8) These brown pod segments have a tough paper card-like wrapper, and contain a black-brown seed similar to (although flattened in comparison) to the famous sea hearts washed up on temperate shores and Seaheart jewellery (model also not from Brunei) (Ref W8) often fashioned into jewellery (Ref W8). The example may be Entada rheedii (sometimes spelled rheedei) known as the Snuff Box Sea Bean, as in addition to being made into jewellery, they were, in olden days, cut in half, hollowed out, hinged and decorated, often with gold and silver to make boxes for snuff (powdered tobacco), and other powders. The individual segments, when together, make up an Entada pod that can extend to a metre or more in length. Segments of Entada seed pod and the sea heart that was inside the one on the left (RM) 27

40 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Eugeissona (Tanjang Pipit, Rumbia Bukit) Eugeissona utilis Fam. Arecaceae Less weathered Eugeissona fruit showing lateral cords and fine surface texture (RM) Weathered Eugeissona seed (RM) Eugeissona is a stilt rooted member of the palm family found in low-lying heath (kerangas) forest (Ref 3). The name Eugeissona actually means good roof in Greek, as the leaves were popular for roof thatching. The large black fruit, oval with a tufted top, is a relatively common find. The Eugeissona is locally well known as its stilt roots are used for walking sticks, while its rachis (the part in a palm between the leaves and the stem) have been used for blowpipe darts. Trees can be viewed in Lambir Hills National Park (Ref W2). 28

41 beachcombing Excoecaria (Gurah, Apid-apid) Excoecaria indica Fam. Euphorbiaceae The spherical seed comprises what appears to be four, six or eight segments and easily splits to reveal one shiny caramel brown seed nested in between each double segment. The green fruit was formerly used to create a poison for fish and other creatures. Excocaria Excoecaria indica with six segments (RM) Excocaria Excoecaria indica, an eight segment example (RM) 29

42 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Heritiera (Itik-itikan, Dungun laut) Heritiera littoralis Fam. Sterculiaceae Heritiera Heritiera littoralis seeds showing characteristic keel. (RM) This plant is apparently common on tropical SE Asian shores, for instance in Sabah, but none are known to the authors locally. It occurs on the landward side of mangroves, where fresh water mixes with sea water or predominates. The seed is very conspicuous with a smooth shiny surface, and a very prominent keel on one side, the depth of which varies according to species. If cut open, the seed has a thick light brown corky layer with an internal light brown kernel, which appears to darken with age. The seeds are apparently popular with foraging large crabs, monkeys and wild pigs (Ref W27a). Heritiera old and worn nut with a chestnut brown walnut shaped kernel. (RM) 30

43 beachcombing Hodgsonia Hodgsonia macrocarpa Fam. Cucurbitaceae At five to eleven cm long, four cm at the widest, this impressive seed is elliptical with a straight side and tear shaped in cross section. It is dark greyish brown to black in colour, dull to very shiny and smooth with several vein like grooves running from hilum to tip. The hilum, three to four cm long, is prominent, resembling lips. The seed can be polished to a very shiny finish. It is empty when open, and the woody wall is up to eight mm thick. Common locally. The parent plant is a gigantic climbing vine with magnificent fringed white and yellow flowers and large pumpkin-like fruit, each containing six beautiful large woody seeds. Hodgsonia Hodgsonia macrocarpa (RM) 31

44 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Intsia (Merbau, Ipil, Kwila) Intsia bijuga and Intsia palembanica Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Caesalpinoideae It is always a pleasure to find these vegetal sea-shore pebbles, seeds of the famous Merbau timber tree. They come in many different shapes: ovate, triangular, rectangular, elongate, always with rounded angles and a very smooth, dull or lustrous dark reddish brown surface with faint thin lines. The species I. bijuga and I. palembanica are very alike; the largest thinnest and flattest ones are I. palembanica. If they are whitish or dull (depending on the time they stay in salt water and sun) you can polish them to obtain a very shiny surface. Intsia Intsia bijuga and Intsia palembanica (MD) Intsia beans are produced by a huge tree and come in large pods containing 2 to 6 beans. Kapayang (Kapayang) Pangium edule Fam. Flacourtiaceae The kapayang tree grows near rivers. It is sometimes called killer kapayang because of the lethal hydrocyanic acid present in the oily kernel. Even so, it is sold in the market and is edible as long as it is boiled and rinsed several times. It is cream when young but becomes dark brown to black after floating in the water for a while. 32 Kapayang Pangium edule (MD)

45 beachcombing Kulim (Kulim, Bawang hutan) Scorodocarpus borneensis Fam. Olacaceae The kulim fruits, also called wild garlic, look like ping-pong balls with radiating meridians. In the forest, the mother tree can reach 40m high and is easy to locate due to the strong garlic smell exuding from the leaves and fruits (even the wood smells of garlic when cut). It was once used to flavour food and as an antidote for poisoned blowpipe darts. The timber is valuable and widely used for beam and boat making (Ref W18). Lithocarpus (Mempening) Lithocarpus spp Fam. Fagaceae Kulim fruits Scorodocarpus borneensis (MD) Kulim Scorodocarpus borneensis as disseminules (MD) Lithocarpus is a member of the group of oak trees typical of lower mountain forest but with at least one species in Brunei (Lithocarpus dasystachyus), living in the peatswamp. Being oak, they not surprisingly produce acorns, which is often a surprise to visitors Lithocarpus acorns from above (RM) who associate oaks and acorns with temperate climates. Actually the majority of oaks inhabit the tropics! 33

46 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Lithocarpus acorns from below (RM) Mallotus (Mallotus) Mallotus muticus (Mallotus paya) Fam. Euphorbiaceae One of the dominant trees of freshwater swamp, as it can withstand inundation, Mallotus has small nuts, about 2cm wide and distinctly trilobal, ie with three seed bearing lobes. Mallotus muticus gains its important niche in Borneo s ecosystem by being the dominant low supporting tree in sustainable rattan farming rotan irit gardens in central Kalimantan. Mallotus Mallotus muticus (RM) 34

47 beachcombing Mango (Mangga) Mangifera indica Fam. Anacardiaceae The King of fruits. Many people claim that more mangos are eaten fresh all over the world than any other fruit! The mango is a drupe, having a single hard stone that encloses the seed. It is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Cultivated in many tropical regions and distributed widely in the world, mango is one of the most extensively exploited fruits for food, juice, flavour, fragrance and colour. Fresh Mango, with the endocarp opened up showing the seed (Ref W31) The ripe fruit is variable in size and colour, and may be yellow, orange, red or green when ripe, depending on the cultivar. The flesh is peachlike and juicy, with more or less numerous fibres radiating from the husk of the single large kidney-shaped hairy and fibrous stone. Mango Mangifera indica disseminules showing varying degrees of wear (RM) 35

48 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Mucuna Mucuna sp. Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Papilionoideae This is a tropical vine with long lianas that twine through rain forest trees in South America and SE Asia. Mucuna pods are covered with dense whisker-like stinging hairs (trichomes) to discourage predators, so handle with care. If they get into your eyes they can cause intense pain. This irritation from these trichomes has been put to good use in villages in India to control gastrointestinal parasites in livestock. The hairs are scraped off the Mucuma pod and fed to goats and large ruminants. The hairs don t seem to affect the digestive system Mucuna pod and seed (RM) of the animals but parasites are impacted by it, resulting in significantly faster growth rates and lower mortality of the animals. The seed is a large mottled dark brown or black compressed bean called a Burney bean amongst beachcombers. The term Burney beans comes from the ability of this, and other nuts to achieve a high temperature if rubbed vigorously on cloth. This makes them very popular amongst children playing tricks on unsuspecting adults! 36

49 beachcombing Mengkulat (Mengkulat, Buak-buak jari itik) Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum Fam. Verbenaceae This is a relatively common nut, with an attractive solid feel, and an indented pear to barrel shape surrounding a greasy solid black kernel. The seed is medicinal, used in Indonesia to normalise gastric problems. Mengkulat Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum (RM) Nickar Nut (Sapang) Caesalpinia bonduc Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Caesalpinoideae Nickar Nuts are globular or eggshaped, very hard, shiny and marble like. The surface is very smooth green to grey with faint concentric fracture lines. They are difficult to find on the beach, but can often be collected at the shore line from the straggling shrubs with hooked spines on which they grow. The pod is covered with prickles and contains one to three seeds. Nickar Nuts Caesalpinia bonduc (MD) The seeds are used for a huge range of alternative medicine therapies (Ref W19) and as beads, as weights, and as counters in board games. Nickar Nut pods Caesalpinia bonduc (MD) 37

50 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Nypa Palm (Apong Nipah) Nypa fruticans Fam. Arecaceae The seeds of this prolific mangrove palm are very distinctive and common, and often show sprouting shoots and roots from the tip. During the summer months when sand piles up on the beach, many Nypa Palm seeds take root... only to be swept away again as the beach level recedes in the winter. It is not, however, common to see the entire seed head as shown here. Large stands of Nypa are often visible floating down the Sg. Belait later to be washed up along with piles of roots, either attached or not, on local beaches. You can see some beautiful complete fruit in the market on Friday mornings during Ramadan, the gelatinous pulp inside each immature fruit being edible as a local delicacy. Nypa Palm huge complete aggregate fruit or seed head (RM) Nypa Palm roots (RM) Sprouting Nypa seed (RM) Nypa clump probably washed down the Belait (RM) 38

51 beachcombing Oil Palm (Kelapa sawit) Elaeis guineensis Fam. Arecaceae Oil palm Elaeis guineensis (RM) Oil palms are widely grown in S.E. Asia. They are a very important source of edible and inedible oils and as an additive to fuels to make biofuels. The seeds look like very small stony coconuts with a funny face (E.T) appearance. They are extremely hard with cream colour striations, their hardness meaning they can be polished and used in seabean jewellery. Quassia (Manuggal) Quassia indica Fam. Simaroubaceae Quassia indica flowering tree (MD) Quassia indica is a tree that grows to about 10m high, and provides a number of useful Quassia sp seeds about 3cm long (RM) extracts called Quassins, that have proved effective as insecticides used in organic orchards, and may also have anti-tumour effects (Ref 7). Quassia indica seeds roasted and pounded and oil from the seed kernel applied to the affected area are considered a treatment for rheumatism in Philippines alternative medicine, and if the 39

52 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo seeds are worn round the neck they are considered effective against asthma (Ref W26). Quassia indica semicircular nuts are about 7cm long and 4 cm wide, are light coloured and light weight with a papery feel. When you open up Quassia nuts you find a corky layer and a darker brown kernel inside. Quassia indica on the left, Quassia sp. on the right (RM) 40

53 beachcombing Rattan (Ratan) and Asam Paya (Asam Paya) Fam. Arecaceae Subfam. Calamoidea Asam Paya Eleiodoxa conferta Rattan Calamus sp. The edible fruit of the Asam Paya palm, Eleiodoxa conferta Rattan Calamus sp. (RM) These two related palms have similar scaly fruit although the Asam Paya fruit is larger and edible, and can be found in local markets. If you look closely, you can see the scale patterns are slightly different between the two fruits. The Asam Paya is a classic spiny peatswamp palm, and has an underground trunk from which spring the fronds armed with whorls of spines.the infloresecence emerges at ground level, bearing either male or female flowers in the latter forming the scaly, red-brown fruit. The Rattan is a vine-like palm with slender stems that can grow to enormous lengths up to hundreds of meters. Many rattans are spiny and are a real hazard to the unwary rainforest walker. As it can be harvested and transported easily, it is a key to the preservation of forest land in providing one alternative income to logging. Rattan gardens are sustainably farmed in Kalimantan. It is used extensively woven into furniture as it is lightweight, durable and flexible. 41

54 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Rengas (Rengas Ayer) Gluta renghas Fam. Anacardiaceae Dried specimens of Rengas Gluta renghas (RM) Rengas is a very common seed. It is brown and potatolike with a solid white to cream coloured core that turns red on exposure to air. When it sprouts it puts out red-brown coiled roots. Unfortunately a high proportion of these seeds downstream is not good news from the rainforest. Rengas is quick to colonise logged and degraded forest so finding Rengas seeds often means logging has taken place upstream (Ref 4). Rengas Gluta renghas on the seashore, showing sprouting coiled roots, starchy internals, and red colouration on oxidisation (RM) 42

55 beachcombing Rhizophora (Bakau Kurap and Bakau Minyak) Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora apiculata Fam. Rhizophoraceae cm long Rhizophora hypocotyl (RM) Rhizophora hypocotyl growing on the parent plant (RM) This unique mangrove plant produces a long pendulous hypocotyl seed while still attached to the parent plant. On Rhizophora mucronata (Bakau Kurap) trees, the hypocotyl is between cm long and has on its surface prominent wart like lenticels which allow for gas exchange (oxygen out, carbon dioxide in) with the atmosphere, while on Rhizophora apiculata (Bakau Minyak) trees, the hypocotyl is shorter and smooth. 43

56 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Rubber (Pokok getah) Hevea brasiliensis Fam. Euphorbiaceae The rubber tree is native to South America but is widespread in Asia having been famously introduced from Brazil via Kew Gardens in London to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. A fine exhibition of this story of the introduction can be viewed in the environmental garden at the Singapore Science Centre. The large trilobal seed capsules have air spaces to help them float, and capsules are found intact and in fragments. Each rubber fruit capsule explodes loudly when ripe to disperse the three shiny mottled oily and poisonous seeds. It is fun to hear them explode when you walk in the jungle or through a rubber plantation, but not so much fun if one of your finds explodes during the night in your kitchen! Rubber Hevea brasiliensis seeds (RM) Rubber Hevea brasiliensis three lobed capsules (RM) & (HD) 44

57 beachcombing Saga, Red Sandalwood, Coral Tree (Saga) Adenanthera pavonina Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Mimosoidea he Saga tree is a member of the Leguminosae or legume family, and T typical of the family, hosts symbiotic bacteria in its roots which convert nitrogen from the air into usable nitrate. This means the plant is common in the sandy soils along the seashore where it can win the competition for space. Also typical for a legume it produces a pod that dehisces or splits along one side, in this case in spectacular fashion by coiling up the splitting to reveal the light-coloured pod lining and contrasting famous bright scarlet seeds. Saga Adenanthera pavonina showing coiled and split pods with bright red seeds (MD) These attractive seeds are used as beads in jewellery, but are perhaps most famous for their use in ancient times for weighing gold. The seeds are curiously similar in weight, four seeds making up about one gram. In fact the name saga derives from the Arabic term for goldsmith. Interestingly, the seeds can only germinate if they are scratched (scarified), boiled for one minute, or dipped in sulphuric acid. This suggests that in nature, they must be eaten and go through the digestive system of an animal before germination (Ref W15). The seeds are toxic, but edible when roasted or boiled. In Java, they are roasted, shelled, then eaten with rice. They are said to taste like soy bean (Ref 15). 45

58 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Sea Almond (Talisai Ketapang) Terminalia catappa Fam. Combretaceae The sea almond is a very common tree locally, and therefore it is not surprising to find examples of the seed on the beach. There are a number of good specimens of the tree alongside the Panaga Beach Shelter, where fruit in various degrees of ripening can be collected. The tree has a characteristic horizontally layered appearance with a sprinkling of the large leaves turning bright red before they fall. The nut is apparently edible like commercially grown almonds, but it is hard to separate the nut from the flesh. Sea Almond Terminalia catappa (RM) Sea Lettuce (Ambong-ambong) Scaevola taccada (formerly Scaevola sericea) Fam. Goodeniaceae Sea Lettuce grows along local beaches as a shrub with a squat conical shape. The small flowers are very distinctive with five petals only on the underside. The fruit is a snow-white spherical and buoyant little berry, inside which there is an almond shaped seed. The berry goes brown and wrinkles with age, and eventually shivels away leaving the cream coloured fissured seed. 46

59 beachcombing Sea Lettuce Scaevola taccada seeds in various stages of decomposition provide a varied mosaic of texture and colour. (RM) 47

60 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Sea Randa Guettarda speciosa Fam. Rubiaceae This evergreen seashore tree distributed in South East Asia and Pacific Islands is famous for its beautiful fragrant white trumpet flowers. The flowers are used to make fragrant oil, strung into necklaces or placed in the hair. The Sea Randa fruit is a green drupe containing a hairy and very hard woody spherical stone. Inside there are four to six seeds enclosed in separate compartments. Sea Randa Guettarda speciosa (MD) Seashore Screwpine (Pandan) Pandanus tectorius Fam. Pandanaceae The individual fruits, called keys or carpels, of the Seashore Screwpine s compound fruit are commonly found on beaches locally. The brilliant colours of the ripe fruit have usually faded and the soft tissue gone leaving a seed head of brown shaving brush appearance comprised of the fibrous cores of the carpels. Seashore Screwpine Shaving brush phalanges (left) and original phalanges (right) (RM) 48

61 beachcombing Seashore Screwpine Pandanus tectorius Shaving brush phalange. (RM) 49

62 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Silingi (Silingi, Sapang) Caesalpinia crista Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Caesalpinoideae This spiny vine produces a fairly common indehiscent (indehiscent means the pod does not open on maturity) pod with a very hard smooth black outer coat with web lines. The pod contains one or two jet black seeds which are sometimes used in necklaces and in Colombia used Silingi Caesalpinia crista pod (MD) to make maracas rattle (Ref W17). It is a famous medicinal plant with many uses including as an anti malarial agent. The oil from the seeds is also said to soften the skin and remove pimples. Silingi Caesalpinia crista seeds (MD) Sonneratia, Mangrove Apple (Perepat, Pedada) Sonneratia alba Fam. Sonneratiaceae Sonneratia Sonneratia alba fruit with red inner surface of the sepals (RM) 50 Sonneratia is another mangrove species (along with Avicennia) characterised by vertical breathing roots, though these are thicker than the pencil-like Avicennia roots. Several species exist, all with similar fruit although the colour and angle of the sepals differs (Ref W7).

63 beachcombing Vatica (Resak) Vatica umbonata syn. V. cupularis Fam. Dipterocarpaceae Vatica is a Malaysian species, widely distributed from Peninsular Malaysia to Borneo (its typical locality) and the Philippines. It is common in peatswamps, on river banks, but even occurs scattered on hillsides up to 1,300 m (Ref W23). It reaches 40m tall. The Latin name umbonata, means with button in the centre referring to the belly button type appearance of the fruit (Ref W24). Vatica umbonata, one of the most common finds during some parts of the year (RM) 51

64 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Wattle (Akasia) Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium Fam. Leguminosae Subfam. Mimosoideae Acacia is a member of the Leguminosae or legume family. This is the third largest family of flowering plants (after Orchidaceae and Asteraceae) with 730 genera and over 19,400 species. Acacia is one of the most common and successful trees locally, considered by many to be too successful and invasive. They are successful due to their ability to tolerate poor soils through fixing nitrogen. Acacia auricoliformis (Auri), one of the most common species, has coiled and contorted seed pods that split open allowing the black seeds to fall out and be suspended from short curled orange stalks. A second common species, Acacia mangium (Mangium) has more tightly coiled seedpods. Acacia auriculiformis seed pods (RM) Acacia mangium seed pods (RM) 52

65 beachcombing Xylocarpus (Nyireh Bunga) Xylocarpus granatum Fam. Meliaceae Xylocarpus granatum (Nyireh Bunga) segments (RM) Xylocarpus granatum seedling making a brave attempt to get its roots down before the tide washes it away (RM) This small mangrove tree has a reddish papery flaking bark and characteristic plank roots that rise above the mangrove mud. These flattened, snaking and undulating buttress roots are an adaptation to allow root aeration and help the tree to anchor itself in the unstable mud. The fruit is large and roughly spherical, growing to about the size of a large pomelo. It contains 4-16 irregularly shaped mottled coloured segments. Entire fruits are rarely washed ashore, it is the separated segments that are usually found. Reassembling the pieces is a major challenge! The segments are commonly found rooted and sprouting between spring tides. 53

66 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Resin Dammar Gum (Mata Kucing) Dammar is a Malay word meaning resin or torch made from resin. Dammar gum is obtained from Dipterocarp trees, principally those of the genera Shorea, Balanocarpus, or Hopea. Most is produced by tapping trees, however some is collected in fossilised form from the ground. The gum varies in colour from clear to pale yellow, while the fossilized form is grey-brown. There are two further types of Dammar, besides the gum: Mata kucing ( cat s eye ) is a crystalline resin usually in the form of round balls. Batu ( stone ) is the name given to the stone or pebble-shaped opaque Dammar collected from the ground. Crystallised piece of resin (Mata kucing?), some 3 cm in length (RM) 54

67 beachcombing Seaweed Sargassum (Rumput Laut) Sargassum sp. Fam. Sargassaceae Seaweed is not routinely found on local beaches, however during the NW Monsoon when a big sea is running, the wave base runs deep enough to break fronds from the offshore seaweed beds carrying them onto the windward shore. The most common seaweed species that appears on the beach is Sargassum. These brown algae are easily recognised by the air-filled flotation bladders (vesicles) which help keep them upright in the water to make the most of the light. Sargassum seaweed with light green air filled vesicles (RM) 55

68 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Logs and Timber Most of the numerous logs and assorted timber found on the beach have probably come from logging activity in the hinterland of the Baram. These are usually rotten timber or misshapen branches or roots that have been rejected, often clearly displaying their source by chain-saw cuts. Some may have come down the Belait. Views Accumulation of timber debris during the NE Monsoon near Panaga Beach Shelter (RM) of the Baram from the ASEAN Bridge near Miri reveal the large scale of logging activity as there is a regular passage of barges loaded with timber from the rainforest. Bamboo stump (RM) 56 Abstract weathering pattern on timber (RM)

69 beachcombing Carving from driftwood in the forecourt of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Herbarium (RM) Bamboos are often seen, sometimes reaching to six metres long or more, along with stumps with buttress roots discarded by loggers as not worth keeping. There are plenty of abstract forms to tempt the photographer. Discarded by man, the logs provide homes for barnacles, teredo worms, and fungi of various types. Detail of fungi on decaying logs (RM) Stunning carvings and other decorative features and artifacts from timber flotsam can be inspected in the forecourt of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Herbarium. 57

70 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo More fungi, creamy pink variety, probably Schizophyllaceae Schizophyllum commune (RM) Yellow fungi Calocera (CO) 58

71 beachcombing Bracket fungus, Polyporella on driftwood (RM) 59

72 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Fishing Equipment The South China Sea is teeming with sea life and the offshore fishermen s equipment often ends up on local beaches, possibly from offcuts discarded by fishermen or from snagging on subsurface objects, like the offshore coral reefs but also BSP s pipelines! Fishing prahu damaged and abandoned after a storm at Sungai Seria (RM) 60

73 beachcombing Fishing net and Vietnamese lifejacket (RM) Brightly coloured floats and rope characterise this net (RM) 61

74 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Footprints and Trails Wild boar tracks, near Sg Tujoh (RM) lizard, hermit crab and other visitors can still be spotted. Hermit Crabs often emerge from the vegetation at the top of the beach and you can follow their wanderings over surprisingly large distances as the animal looks for food or a new more spacious home. The trail is characterised by a linear central imprint which is the trail of the shell itself, and the curved walking leg prints to each side. 62 The beach is a favourite haunt for many animals that forage for titbits after dusk when the coast is clear. Their footprints can often be found. In the more remote areas, wild boar prints can be found while closer to human habitation, evidence of monitor Lizard trail (left) and Hermit Crab (right) near Sg. Bera, note the rain drop craters speckling the surface.

75 beachcombing UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects) The database of identified and named disseminules is so immature, the authors feel that relatively common yet unidentified specimens should be included in a UFO section. This will allow debate to take place amongst interested readers and will accelerate the identification and transfer of these finds into their rightful place in the body of the text in future editions. 1 Three forms of this find, about the size of a small potato, in brown and yellowish brown, sometimes with a thin brown papery seed coat but also perhaps the the same species in a fresher state where the endosperm is a bright green colour. 63

76 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo 2This fruit is also the size and shape of a small potato, medium brown in colour, flaking thin outer skin, and inner endosperm turning red on exposure to air (RM) 3This large thick and heavy seed is 8-9 cm across, 1.5 cm thick. Light brown with smooth shiny skin (RM) 64 4 Seeds about 4-7 cm in length, of a flattened oval potato-like shape with rough sandpaper-like skin and very characteristic cracks on its surface originating from where the stalk was attached. (RM)

77 beachcombing 5This shell of this hard nut is about the size of a ping-pong ball (RM) Pointed nut about 8cm long 6perhaps originally covered with fibres worn off in the lower example (RM) 7 White exterior and pinkish red interior of this 2cm wide mystery object.. it took Roger months to figure it out (RM) (see Checklist for the answer!) 65

78 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Where to Find Out More About Tropical Seeds and Fruit Singapore Botanic Gardens Herbarium, Singapore The Herbarium is situated at the southern end of the Gardens where the Gardens were established in The complex houses the heritage collections of the herbarium and library and new facilities for education and research laboratories. Visitor amenities include a basement car park, food garden and a Public Reference Centre at the Library of Botany and Horticulture. The latter provides visitor access to reference materials that include books, magazines, CDs as well as herbarium specimens. Changing displays give added insight into tropical plants and their seeds and fruits. Public Reference Centre Botany Centre Displays with complete Nypa seed head. The courtyard leading to the Botany Centre has spectacular wood carvings from timber driftwood, stumps and buttress roots. 66

79 beachcombing Sungai Liang Forestry Centre, Brunei Tel There is a small but interesting Forestry Museum open to the public. There are six categories of exhibit at the museum, namely the different types of forests; history of forestry; commercial woods and their uses; forestry products; types of rattan, bamboo and bamban and wildlife. The herbarium located at the end of the road is also very interesting but to gain entry you need to write a letter to the Director of Forestry Department. There is also an Arboretum and Palmetum here with boardwalk access. Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak In addition to the wildlife sanctuary, there is a botanical research centre and a seedling centre as well as a seed bank. The seed bank has been set up to facilitate reforestation projects. Adjacent is the Semenggoh Arboretum and a Seed Production Area (SPA) that will serve as the seed source for some indigenous tree species. There is also a fruit garden with many of the wild fruit trees found in the jungles of Borneo, and an ethnic botanic garden containing herbs (many of traditional medicinal value) and spices. Other Locations to find out more on tropical seeds and fruits - Bako National Park near Kuching - Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore. - Bogor Botanic Gardens, West Java, Indonesia - Sabah Agricultural Park, Tenom - Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve (16km NW of KL) - Manukan and Sapi islands, by boat from Tanjung Aru or Sutera Harbour Hotels, KK Sabah (Guided nature walk available). - Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort Nature Interpretation Centre, Sabah 67

80 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Beachcombing and Safety Tips 1 Wear - Large hat (some people prefer an umbrella) - Sunglasses - Sunscreen - Insect repellent - Sensible footwear - Pair of cotton gloves if you are concerned about skin irritation from some seeds. 2Prepare a backpack with - Large bottle of water - Towel - 1 or 2 plastic containers (for fragile winged seeds) - Several plastic bags to carry your seeds - Camera and binoculars are useful to check on the vegetation close to the beach and record your finds in-situ - Charged mobile phone (in case of emergency) 3Choose the time - Check the weather forecast (not too windy, not too wet) - The tide not too high - Remember 11 to 3 pm is really hot! 68

81 beachcombing 4Be aware of what is around you If you are a solitary beachcomber and very quiet you can meet: - monitor lizard or snakes sleeping between logs. Crocodiles or turtles have been reported but are very rare. - packs of starving wandering dogs (they could be a problem) lift a stick and they will leave you alone. - sand flies are probably your greatest hazard, use insect repellent and if bitten, rub with an anaesthetic cream or Tiger Balm. Never, never scratch a sand fly bite, they are easily infected. - enjoy the company of the crabs and the birds. Ocypode crabs will be scurrying around, and the kingfishers, swallows and swifts, egrets and eagles may be active. - stay clear of unstable cliffs and rock falls. 5Use a stick To pick among patches of accumulated debris. You can come across almost anything: ropes, bottles, plates, plastic toys, shoes, balloons, combs, furniture, tools but also hazards like, rusted nails, broken glass and syringes. Be sensible in what you take home with you 6 - Do not disturb wild life, don t collect live plants or sea life. - If you can, stockpile rubbish and collect it on your way back. If everyone collected just one bag of rubbish each trip, the beach would be so much nicer. 7Consider wearing gloves when handling the seeds Optional, but are very useful to dust away sand or mud from the seed as you pick it up. They are also good protection against the sun and sand flies (a sting between fingers is really painful). In addition some sea-beans have irritating components or hairs. While handling seeds, children should be told not put their fingers into their mouth or eyes. 69

82 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo How to Preserve Your Specimens When you get your finds home, they should be hosed down or ideally washed in hot water several times. - Plastic gloves are advisable as juice leaking from partially decomposed pong-pong, box fruit and other disseminules can contain toxins, tannins, and oils which can irritate the skin. - Scrubbing and brushing will remove sand and small organisms. - Expose collection to the sun until completely dry. All the sea-beans (Entada, Mucuna, Dioclea, Intsia) are waterproof and do not require further treatment. - Store all the other drift fruits and seeds in a plastic bag and deepfreeze for one week to kill any small living organisms, worms, eggs and bugs and let dry again in the sun. Your specimen should ideally be refrozen every year or two to avoid reinfestation. - Repeat this operation if not perfectly clean. - Any fleshy or softer inner parts should be completely dry by leaving them in a dry spot under cover but still getting the rays of the sun for part of the day. 70

83 beachcombing How to Enhance the Appearance of your Sea-beans You can use different coloured shoe polish to preserve and enhance your seeds, eg Barringtonia in brown, Hodgsonia macrocarpa does pretty well in black, Xylocarpus with colourless. Teak oil or any product for leather or wood should enhance the beauty of your collection. Some collectors spray with clear varnish and achieve a nice effect. Why not experiment a little? You can use chlorine to bleach Pong Pong, Mengkulat, Alexandrine Laurel and more. Some species without tannins bleach better than others. Add them to a pot pourri or display them in a large bowl with some black sea-beans. Chlorine bleached Mengkulat (MD) You can also use silver or gold spray to make original Christmas tree decorations. Displaying your sea-beans in a nice glass bottle in their natural state also looks super, while placing them in a large basket allows people to pick them up and enjoy their feel and texture. It will probably open their eyes to this 71

84 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo new world and perhaps encourage them to take a closer look at nature. If you are very patient you can try to polish your beans. Entadas, Diocleas, Coconut shells and Intsia give amazing results. They become so shiny and so beautiful that no one will believe your gem is vegetable and not mineral. There are several polishing methods you can try. The primitive one will try your patience: it takes about 3 hours for one Entada! You just need sand paper: use grade 300, then 500, then 1000 and finish with a nail polishing block four steps to nail heaven available at the Body Shop. Do not try to go too fast and do not skip one step if you want to get a really smooth and shiny surface. If you have a Dremel type power tool it is time to use it! It is much faster and the result is quite good. There are a range of suitable attachments. Power tool for seed work. (MD) Some people use a gem tumbler machine: it is automatic and the result is quite good with very hard beans, but for the softer ones you will get a poor potato shape! You can also be very inventive and create a wreath, a mirror frame, necklaces or many other masterpieces! 72

85 beachcombing How to Grow your Seed This is another fun activity to do with your seeds. Remember the solid seed coat that preserved the seed in seawater is now a barrier to freshwater. Sandpaper may be enough to prepare some, others will require the use of a file or hacksaw to make a notch in the seed coat. Place the scarified seed in fresh water for 24 hours to soak, and then place in good potting soil 3-5 cm from the surface. In only 4 to 5 days you may see your plant germinate and start growing. Entada can grow up to a very impressive 20 cm a day, a good experience to share with children! Mind you, often you can find part germinated or part rooted seeds on the beach already. You can find further information in Entada sp. after only 10 days! (MD) We hope that all these tips will help you! Good luck for wonderful discoveries! Happy beachcombing! 73

86 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Beachcombing Terminology Bean Dehiscent Disseminule Drift Seed Drupe Embryo Endocarp Endosperm Exocarp Flotsam and jetsam Fruit 74 general term for the seeds of many plants such as soybeans, peas, lentils, kidney beans, coffee beans, and cocoa beans. opening naturally along a seam on two sides. The majority of legumes are dehiscent, the pea pod is an obvious example. general term for a seed, fruit, or spore, that is modified for dispersal, also called a drift disseminule or diaspore. a floating seed or fruit of any part of a tropical plant growing in coastal areas that are disseminated round the world by ocean currents and winds. a fleshy fruit, such as a peach, plum, or cherry, usually having a single hard stone that encloses a seed. Also called stone fruit. A coconut is a fibrous drupe. the baby plant that will develop into the mature plant. It has one or two cotyledons (embryo leaf) and one radicle (embryonic root). The embryonic stem below the cotyledon(s) is the hypocotyl while above is the epicotyl. the hard shell enclosing the seed in a fruit. the supply of nutrients for the embryo, rich in oil, starch or protein the skin of a fruit. nowadays used generically for any washed up sea-borne debris. the ripened ovary bearing the seeds of a flowering plant. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate seeds. Some fruits ripen to form sweet and juicy flesh enclosing the seeds while others form hard nuts and grains enclosing the seed.

87 beachcombing Globose Indehiscent Keel Mesocarp Nut Pod Sea Bean Seed Seed Coat or testa having the shape of a globe, ie spherical. the fruit does not open at maturity to release its seeds, eg the acorn or coconut. elongated ridge or projection along a nut, (from the keel of a ship) the flesh of a fruit a dry one-seeded (rarely two) indehiscent (i.e. non splitting at maturity) fruit with a woody pericarp such as almond, chestnut or walnut. a dry many-seeded dehiscent fruit characteristic of leguminous plants (i.e. peas, beans) another term used for a disseminule but usually more specifically to hard rounded beans like Entadas and Diocleas. a mature fertilised ovule as per schematic below. covering to avoid the endosperm drying out, which can be paper thin like on a peanut or thick and hard, like a coconut shell. 75

88 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Avocado, (flesh removed) showing a typical seed structure of embryo, endosperm and seedcoat (Ref W11). Peach, a drupe, showing tough endocarp surrounding the seed and sweet fleshy outer layer (mesocarp) and skin (exocarp) (Ref W28). 76

89 References beachcombing 1) C.R. Gunn and J.V. Dennis, World Guide to Tropical Drift Seeds and Fruits, Krieger Publishing Florida 1999 ISBN ) Hans P. Hazebroek and Abang Kashim bin Abang Morshidi, A Guide to Gunung Mulu National Park, Natural History Publications (Borneo), (p. 71) 3) Marina Wong and Aziah binte Hj. Ahmad, Common Seashore Life of Brunei, Brunei Museum ) David Edwards et al. (editors), Peat swamp Forest Dynamics in Kalimantan, p413, from Tropical Rainforest Research Current Issues 5) Dr Leo W.H. Tan and Peter Ng, A Guide to Seashore Life, Singapore Science Centre 1988 ISBN ) Peter Ng and N. Sivasothi, A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore II, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, 1999 ISBN ) Bajaj W.P.S, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants VI Page 317 8) Ashton, Dipterocarpaceae, In Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak, Volume 5, ) Wong and Kamariah, Forests and Trees of Brunei Darussalam 10) Heywood et al, Flowering Plants of the World, Culham and Seaberg, ) Desmond Tate, Tropical Fruit ) Novi E. Yusniasita Dols (personal communication) 13) Martin Cheek, The validation of two new family names in Malvales: Durionaceae and Brownlowiaceae, Kew Bulletin ) Y.F. Lee, Preferred Check-List of Sabah trees. Sabah Forestry Department. Sandakan ) Hsuan Keng, The Concise Flora of Singapore. Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press ) Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin & H.T.W.Tan. The Concise flora of Singapore. Vol II. Monocotyledon, Singapore University Press Websites W1) W2) Palm and Cycad Society of Australia W3) The Conservancy Association of Hong Kong W4) Waynesword, Online Textbook of Natural History W5) General overview of nuts and seeds W6) Mark Logan Bartlett, The World is my Garden W7) Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore, (Excellent description of mangrove species) W8) The Seaheart Site, W9) The Seabean Site. Although US oriented, this is a must see site for nut and seed enthusiasts with the biggest collection of information, quarterly newsletters and an annual convention! See the Image Gallery. W10) Botanical Beads of the World, 77

90 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo W11) Wikipedia commons (public domain) W12) W13) Tsunamis, W14) Village saved from Tsunami by Trees, W15) Ria Tan s website, W16) Case Western Reserve University Physics Forum W17) Webster s Online Dictionary, Caesalpinia crista W18) USDA Forest Service, htmldocs_seasian/scorodocarpusborneensis.html W19) Ayushveda, India s alternative health portal, W20) Ho Wei Seng et al, UNIMAS Research Update Vol 2 No.2 Jan05, W21) L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz, The Families of Flowering Plants, W22) Scott A. Mori and Ghillean T. Prance, Lecythidaceae - the Brazil Nut Family, W23) Thailand National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Dept, W24) Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, Vatica umbonata, umbonata.htm W25) Quassia indica, W26) Philippine Medicinal Plants (Quassia indica), W27) Prota (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), a) Heritiera littoralis b) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza c) Mucuna gigantea W28) Wikipedia a) Drupe_fruit_diagram-en.svg by LadyofHats (public domain) b) Gui1 cashewfruit2.jpg by L Lartique (public domain) c) Dipterocarpaceae d) Quassia e) Christopher Columbus (public domain) f) Krakatoa, by Flydime (creative commons 2.0) g) Impact event (public domain, NASA) h) Myth of Flat Earth (by Heikenwaelder Hugo, 1998, creative commons 2.5) i) Avicennia W29) CRN India, W30) Discover Life. This is a rapidly expanding superb source of information with high quality images of plants and their seeds. W31) Ctdayori livedoor blog W32) Ho Wei Seng (UNIMAS) et al, Molecular Techniques for Belian (Borneo Ironwood) Conservation (2006) (Note overleaf) It is planned to be able to provide certificates to readers, and particularly schoolchildren who achieve certain percentages of observations in the Checklist. Please check the PNHS website for details: 78

91 beachcombing Checklist and Index to Species Species Page Location Date Nuts, Seeds and Fruits 1 Alexandrine Laurel Calophyllum inophyllum 8 Artocarpus Chempedak Artocarpus integer Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus 9 Avicennia Avicennia alba 9 Barringtonia Barringtonia asiatica Barringtonia conoidea Barringtonia racemosa Barringtonia revoluta 10 Belian Eusideroxylon swageri Belian (Malagangai) Potoxylon malagangai or Barringtonia sarcostachys 13 Blumeodendron Blumeodendron tokbrai 15 Bruguiera Bruguiera sexangula 17 Cashew Anacardium occidentale 18 Casuarina Casuarina equisetifolia 19 Cerbera Cerbera odollam 20 Coconut Cocos nucifera 23 Dalbergia Dalbergia monosperma 23 Dioclea Dioclea hexandra 24 Dipterocarps Anisoptera sp. 25 Durian Durio zibethinus 26 Entada Entada rheedi 27 Eugeissona Eugeissona utilis 28 Excoecaria Excoecaria indica 29 Heritiera Heritiera littoralis 30 Hodgsonia Hodgsonia macrocarpa 31 Intsia Intsia bijuga Intsia palembanica 32 Kapayang Pangium edule 32 79

92 The Seashore Life of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Species Page Location Date Kulim Scorodocarpus borneensis 33 Lithocarpus Lithocarpus spp 33 Mallotus Mallotus muticus 34 Mango Mangifera indica 35 Mucuna Mucuna sp. 36 Mengkulat Teijsmanniodendron pteropodum 37 Nickar Nut Caesalpinia bonduc 37 Nypa Palm Nypa fruticans 38 Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis 39 Quassia Quassia indica 39 Rattan Calamus sp. Eleiodoxa conferta 41 Rengas Gluta renghas 42 Rhizophora Rhizophora mucronata Rhizophora apiculata 43 Rubber Hevea brasiliensis 44 Saga Adenanthera pavonina 45 Sea Almond Terminalia catappa 46 Sea Lettuce Scaevola taccada 46 Sea Randa Guettarda speciosa 48 Seashore Screwpine Pandanus tectorius 48 Silingi Caesalpinia crista 50 Sonneratia Sonneratia alba 50 Vatica Vatica umbonata 51 Wattle Acacia auriculiformis Acacia mangium 52 Xylocarpus Xylocarpus granatum 53 Dammar Gum 54 Sargassum Sargassum sp. 55 White and Creamy Fungi Schizophyllaceae Schizophyllum commune 57 Yellow Fungi Calocera 58 Bracket Fungus Polyporella 58 Footnote: UFO 7 is actually the base of a badminton shuttlecock (without the feathers)! 80

93 About the Authors: Roger McIlroy has lived in Brunei Darussalam with his wife and children since arriving from their home country of Scotland in Roger holds degrees in Geology and Petroleum Engineering and has managed to combine his work in this field with a keen interest in the environment. This series of books draws on his documentation of the facts and images of the natural history around the Panaga area of Brunei which has been their home. He sees this series as a fitting gift to the people and wildlife of Brunei Darussalam in recognition of their hospitality and friendship during his stay. Monique Desvoyes comes from France. Her numerous travels around the world have allowed her to develop a passion for seeds. Monique is fascinated by the way nature has given us an astonishing diversity of fruits inside which the precious seeds are protected and nicely packaged. The seeds come in an endless variety of colours and shapes. The Brunei forests and beaches gave her the opportunity to find and record a vast array of new and spectacular specimens, and she hope this booklet will prompt the readers to have a closer look at nature when walking on the beaches and in the jungle.