Semambu (Neem)

Azadirachta indica

Family: Meliaceae

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as margosa, neem, nim tree, or Indian lilac, is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and to parts of Southeast Asia, but is naturalized and grown around the world in tropical and subtropical areas. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.

Margosa fruit, seeds, leaves, stems, and bark contain diverse phytochemicals, some of which were first discovered in azadirachta seed extracts, such as azadirachtin established in the 1960s as an insect antifeedant, growth disruptor, and insecticide. Margosa leaves are dried in India and placed in cupboards to prevent insects from eating the clothes, and also in tins where rice is stored. 

Alexander Palm

Archontophoenix alexandrae

Family: Arecaceae

Commonly known as Alexandra palm, king palm, northern Bangalow palm, or feather palm, is a palm endemic to Queensland, Australia. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek ἄρχων (árkhōn), meaning "chieftain" or "ruler", combined with the palm genus Phoenix, and refers to the regal stature of the trees. The species epithet is given in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark. 

The fruit of the Alexandra palm is eaten by many bird species, notably the metallic starling (Aplonis metallica), may consume all of the ripe fruits within an hour. Other common bird species include the Torresian imperial pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa) and the wompoo fruit dove (Ptilinopus magnificus). Fruits are also eaten by fruit bats and the musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus). 

 Buluh Madu

Gigantochloa albociliata

Family: Poaceae

Gigantochloa albociliata is an evergreen, clump-forming, perennial bamboo growing from 6 - 16 meters tall. The erect, thick-walled, woody culms are 15 - 70mm in diameter with internodes 15 - 60cm long. The plant can shed its leaves during dry seasons.

The plant is commonly harvested from the wild as a source of food and materials for both local use and trade. In Thailand, the young shoots are also canned and exported to countries such as Japan. The plant is also grown as an ornamental in gardens. It is cultivated on a small scale for its canes, but no large-scale plantations exist, because rich natural stands are available.

 Kenanga Hutan (Ylang-Ylang)

Cananga odorata

Family: Anonaceae

Cananga odorata, known as ylang-ylang or cananga tree, is a tropical tree that is native to and originated in the Philippines and spread to Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Queensland, Australia. It is valued for the essential oils extracted from its flowers, which have a strong floral fragrance. Ylang-ylang is one of the most extensively used natural materials in the perfume industry, earning it the name "Queen of Perfumes".

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure and normalize sebum secretion for skin problems and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used in perfumery for oriental- or floral-themed perfumes (such as Chanel No. 5). 

Medang Teja

Cinnamommum iners

Family: Lauraceae

Cinnamomum iners is an evergreen tree growing up to 20 m in height; the branches have opposite twigs, robust and angular, sometimes tetragonal, glabrescent. This species grows in moist woods and thickets, up to 1000 meters in elevation.

Both the leaves and wood are used as a spice. Medicinal properties can be found in all parts of the tree. The wood is used to reduce fever, while other plant parts have been used to treat gastrointestinal and urinary problems, childbirth complications, rheumatism, and flatulence. 

 

Durian

Durio zibethinus

Family: Rutaceae

The genus Durio that are known as durian and has edible fruit also known as durian. As with most other durian species, the edible flesh emits a distinctive odour that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. 

The persistence of its odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.D. zibethinus flowers are visited by bats which eat the pollen and pollinate the flowers. The flowers open in the afternoon and shed pollen in the evening.

 

Pandan (Pandanus)

Pandanus amaryllifolius

Family: Pandanaceae

Pandanus amaryllifolius is a tropical plant in the Pandanus genus, which is commonly known as pandan. It has fragrant leaves which are used widely for flavouring in the cuisines of Southeast Asia.

The taste of pandan has been described as floral, sweet, grassy, as well as like vanilla. It often has a subtle flavor or scent. The green juice acquired from its leaf is used extensively in Malaysian cuisine, Indonesian cuisine, and Philippine cuisine as green food colouring and flavouring agents that gives a pleasant aroma to traditional cakes such as kue and kakanin; including klepon, kue putu, dadar gulung, lapis legit, pandan cake, buko pandan salad, and buko pandan cake. The tied knot of bruised pandan leaf is also added into fragrant coconut rice to enhance the aroma.