The Blunt-leaved Oil-Fruit (Elaeocarpus pedunculatus) is a moderately tall tree, growing up to 40 metres tall. It exists in a variety of habitats, but along the coast, it is commonly found on the well-drained slopes of rocky cliffs. The slightly serrated leaves are characteristically upturned and crowned near the tips of twigs. The fruit is an attractive grayish blue drupe. It produces light hardwood used for light interior construction, boat building, boxes, carvings, veneer, chip board and paper.

A medium sized tree of up to 30 metres tall, the Sea Gutta or Nyatoh laut (Pouteria obovata) is an evergreen tree found commonly in secondary forest, at the rear of mangroves and along the coast. It is easily recognized by the leaves, which point upwards and have velvety, rust-coloured undersides. The fruit is a small, blackish berry, eaten and scattered by mammals such as monkeys, squirrels and bats. A decoction of the leaves s used to treat stomachache, lumbago and pain in the chest. It produces good, hard timber with a pleasant pinkish brown appearance, most suitable for carving, furniture, house posts and saltwater piling.

Nipis kulit (Memecylon dule) is a slow-growing shrub or small tree of up to 25 metres tall, and occurs in open forest or along the seashore. The Malay name means, ‘thin skin’ and refers to the thin bark, which flakes off in a characteristic way. The young leaves are a striking pink, purple or deep blue in colour. The berry-like fruits are edible, with the taste ranging from sour to sweet. Its light brown timber is very hard, and is good for house and boat building, as well as charcoal. A yellow dye is extracted from the leaves in some countries and the leaves are also reputedly used in India to treat gonorrhea. The thin bark can also be made into a poultice for treatment of bruises.

The Shore Laurel or Medang pasir (Neolitsea zeylanica) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of up to 25 metres tall, commonly found on sandy and rocky coasts. At first glimpse, the leaves resemble that of the familiar Wild Cinnamon (Cinnamomum iners) as they appear to have three parallel veins as well. The glossy green fruits are round and much sought after by village kids as ‘ammunition’ for their bamboo ‘guns’. The olive coloured timber has a fruity fragrance. It is fine and even grained, and is used to make planks and rafters for house-building, as well as agricultural implements and handicrafts.

The Small-leaved or Seashore Nutmeg (Knema globularia) was thought to be extinct from Singapore until a few years ago, when small populations were rediscovered at Pulau Ubin and subsequently, at Lazarus Island as well. This coastal tree grows up to 24 metres tall, and can be identified by its leaves, which have whitish green underside, and its bright reddish seeds.

From Ubin Tides, an NParks Publication