Category: Flora

Family Asteraceae Scientific name Ageratum conyzoides Common name (English) Goatweed Common name (Malay) Rumput Tahi Ayam Identified as Pioneer plant on Project M.A.R.S.’s land Ageratum conyzoides (tropical whiteweed or goatweed) is a fast-growing, annual or short-lived perennial herb native to tropical America but now widespread in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. It features soft, hairy stems,…

Family Arecaceae Scientific name Nypa fruiticans Common name (English) Nipah Palm Common name (Malay) Nipah Identified as Pioneer plant on Project M.A.R.S.’s land Nypa fruticans (nipa palm) is a unique mangrove palm native to the coastal and estuarine regions of South and Southeast Asia. Unlike typical palms, it grows from underground rhizomes in tidal mudflats…

Family Arecaceae Scientific name Elaeis guineensis Common name (English) Oil Palm Common name (Malay) Kelapa Sawit Identified as Pioneer plant on Project M.A.R.S.’s land Elaeis guineensis (African oil palm) is a tropical palm species native to West Africa, widely cultivated for its oil-rich fruit. The tree can reach up to 20 meters in height and…

Family Acanthaceae Scientific name Asystasia gangetica Common name (English) Chinese violet Common name (Malay) Pengorak Identified as Pioneer plant on Project M.A.R.S.’s land Asystasia gangetica (creeping foxglove or creeping violet) is a fast-growing, perennial groundcover plant native to tropical Asia and Africa. It has trailing stems, lush green foliage, and bright trumpet-shaped flowers that range…