Ficus Aurea, commonly known as the strangler fig, belongs to a group of fig trees characterized by a fascinating life cycle. Seed germination typically occurs high up in the canopy of a host tree, where the seedling establishes itself as an epiphyte, relying on its surroundings for support and nutrients until its roots reach the ground. Once firmly anchored, the seedling undergoes a remarkable transformation as it grows and encircles its host, eventually overpowering and suffocating it. Over time, the fig tree emerges as an independent entity, standing tall at heights of up to 30 meters (100 feet).

Barringtonia Racemosa, commonly referred to as ‘Powder-Puff Tree’, is a tree species that can be found growing in coastal swamp forests and on the edges of estuaries in the Indian Ocean. Its range spans from the east coast of Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) to Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Laos, Southern China, Northern Australia, Coastal Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, and many Polynesian islands. This tree can grow up to 30 meters tall and has pendulous inflorescences that can be up to 1 meter long. The night-blooming flowers have filamentous stamens that come in white, pink, or red.

Tamarindus Indica is a leguminous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is characterized by its monotypic genus, which means it consists solely of this particular species. Indigenous to tropical Africa and now naturalized in Asia, the Tamarind tree boasts brown, pod-like fruits that bear a delightful pulp renowned for its sweet yet tangy taste. This delectable pulp is widely utilized in global cuisines, lending its unique flavour to various dishes. Beyond culinary applications, the Tamarind pulp finds its place in traditional medicine, where it is believed to possess therapeutic properties. Additionally, it is employed as a metal polish, showcasing the versatile nature of this remarkable tree.

Bismarckia Nobilis; or Silver Fan Palm is a unique genus of flowering plant found only in Western and Northern Madagascar. The plant is a member of the palm family and typically grows in open grasslands. The most prominent feature of Silver Fan palm is its solitary trunk which can be grey or tan in colour, and exhibits ringed indentations from old leaf bases. The trunk measures 30 to 45 cm in diameter and the youngest parts of the trunk are the only areas where leaf bases are present. In the wild, the Silver Fan Palm can grow up to 25 meters tall, but in cultivation, it usually reaches no more than 12 meters in height.

Caryota Mitis, commonly known as the Fishtail Palm, is a palm species indigenous to Tropical Asia, stretching from India to Java and Southern China. Initially documented in Vietnam in 1790, this palm flourishes in hummocks and disturbed wooded areas in Florida. It showcases clustered stems that can reach heights of up to 10 m (33 feet) with a diameter of 15 cm (6 inches). Its elongated leaves can grow up to 3 m (10 feet) long. The striking purple flowers further enhance its allure, while the dark purple or red fruits, though visually appealing, are harmful to humans.

Musa Acuminata is a banana species indigenous to Southern Asia, with its habitat spanning the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Although some are Musa Balbisiana hybrids, many of our current edible bananas come from this species. It is one of the earliest examples of domesticated plants, dating back to around 8000 BCE when humans first cultivated it. This evergreen perennial has a pseudo stem made up of tightly packed layers of leaf sheaths, emerging from buried corms either partially or completely. It is essential to note that despite its tree-like appearance, Musa Acuminata is not a tree.

Chamaecostus Cuspidatus, also known as Fiery Costus or Spiral Flag, is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Costaceae family, originating from Eastern Brazil's States of Bahia and Espirito Santo. Its striking appearance features large, fleshy-looking leaves spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps emerging from underground rootstocks. The leaves' undersides have a light purple shade that complements their smooth, dark green appearance. These plants can grow up to two feet tall, and they produce cone-like heads with orange, 1.5-inch diameter flowers during warm months. In India, it is commonly known as the insulin plant due to its purported anti-diabetic properties.

Miconia Crenata, commonly known as Soapbush or Koster's curse, is a perennial shrub characterized by branchlets adorned with large, stiff, brown or reddish-coloured hairs. Their simple leaves are arranged in an opposite fashion and possess an oval-shaped outline with a broad base, pointed tips, and margins that range from almost entire to finely toothed, exhibiting a crenate appearance. These leaves exhibit sparsely distributed hairs on their upper surface, while their undersides are more densely hairy. Notably, they display five distinct veins that run almost parallelly from the leaf bases to their tips. The shrub bears small flower clusters at the branch tips, featuring five white or occasionally pale pinkish petals and five stamens with a claw-like structure.

Actinorhytis Calapparia (commonly known as Calappa Palm), resides in the rain forests and boasts remarkably large fruit. The genus name, derived from Greek, aptly depicts the endosperm of the seed, characterized by a ray-like folding structure. Widely cultivated in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, Actinorhytis Calapparia holds special significance among villagers who attribute magical or medicinal powers to it, often utilizing it as a substitute for betel. Although this species requires ample water and nutrient-rich soil, it does exhibit moderate tolerance to cold, showcasing its remarkable adaptability.

Macaranga, a notable genus within the family Euphorbiaceae, comprises a diverse group of large tropical trees found primarily in the Old World. Macaranga Gigantea, one such species, is an evergreen tree with an impressive height potential of 30 meters, although it typically attains a smaller stature. Marked by a straight trunk reaching a diameter of up to 50 cm, this species exhibits remarkable leaves in its early growth stages, which can measure up to 1 meter in length and assume an almost circular shape. Local communities harvest this tree from the wild, utilizing it as both a glue and a medicinal resource.

Licuala Grandis, commonly known as the ruffled fan palm or Palas Palm, is a fascinating palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family. Indigenous to Vanuatu, an island nation in the Pacific, it thrives in the understory of primary and secondary tropical rainforests. The Licuala variety possesses large, circular leaves that are undivided, closely pleated, and beautifully simple. The seeds of Licuala Grandis readily germinate, and with steady growth, a slender trunk develops in tropical or warm subtropical gardens. Optimal planting locations include areas with sun exposure or full shade, but away from strong winds.

Eurycoma Longifolia, known as Tongkat Ali or Longjack, belongs to the Simaroubaceae family and thrives in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Indonesia. This flowering plant takes the form of a medium-sized, unbranched shrub, capable of attaining heights of up to 10 meters (33 feet). Throughout the South East Asian region, the root of this plant has been traditionally employed in folk medicine. In recent times, it has gained popularity as a supplement and is utilized in various food and beverage applications.

A Liana, known as a long-stemmed and woody vine, employs various means of vertical support, including trees, to ascend from ground level to the forest canopy, driven by its quest for direct sunlight. These remarkable plants are commonly found in tropical moist broadleaf forests, particularly those of a seasonal nature, but they can also inhabit temperate rainforests and deciduous forests. Lianas engage in fierce competition with trees, resulting in significant impediments to tree growth, reproduction, and survival. Furthermore, they obstruct the establishment of tree seedlings and exert a transformative influence on forest regeneration, consequently impacting the overall growth rates of tree populations.

Clerodendrum Thomsoniae is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clerodendrum of the family Lamiaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Cameroon to Senegal. Bleeding Heart Vine is a tender, fast-growing tropical climbing vine that resembles the herbaceous perennial bleeding heart in appearance but shares no other characteristics. The plant is valued by gardeners for its beautiful crimson and white blooms, as well as its shiny green foliage. For optimal results, it is advisable to plant this vine in the spring, as it blooms during the summer, thriving on new growth.

Gluta Renghas, commonly referred to as the Rengas Tree, represents a species of plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It’s found in Indonesia, where it thrives alongside rivers in tidal freshwater areas, coastal regions, peat swamps, although it can also be found in inland forests at altitudes of up to 800 meters. Notably, certain Rengas Trees produce an oil that can induce painful blistering rashes in orangutans and potentially affect humans as well. The local population gathers the edible seeds for their own consumption, and the timber derived from this species finds practical applications.

Sphagneticola Trilobata, commonly referred to as Singapore Daisy or Trailing Daisy belongs to the tribe Heliantheae within the Asteraceae family. While often cultivated for its ornamental value as a groundcover, it poses significant challenges as a noxious weed in agricultural land, urban waste places, roadside areas, and other disturbed sites. Additionally, it displays invasive behaviour along streams, canals, coastal vegetation, and mangrove swamp borders. Given its ability to colonize diverse habitats, this species requires careful management to prevent its ecological disruption and preserve native ecosystems.

Shorea Faguetiana, belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae family, is a plant species commonly referred to as the Yellow Meranti. It thrives naturally in regions encompassing Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, and Thailand. Renowned for its remarkable stature, it claims the title of the tallest flowering plant and stands as the second tallest living tree globally, surpassed only by the sequoia. A monumental specimen, named "Menara," reached an astonishing height of 100.7 m (330 ft) when meticulously measured on January 6, 2019. This measurement accounted for the distance from the apex of the crown to the lowermost part of the buttress, affording an accurate assessment of the tree's immense height.

Hymenocallis Caribaea, commonly known as the "Caribbean Spider-Lily" belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. This plant thrives in native habitats, which include the Caribbean islands and northern regions of South America. As a bulb-forming perennial, it boasts impressive leaves that can grow up to 80 cm in length. The beauty of Hymenocallis Caribaea is further enhanced by its delicate umbels, which bear up to 12 elegant white flowers. These flowers feature narrowly linear tepals, reaching lengths of approximately 10 cm, gracefully drooping during their flowering phase. Standing atop their elongated 70 cm stems, these blooms exude a delightful, sweet fragrance, reminiscent of tropical allure.

Alocasia Macrorrhizos is a noteworthy flowering plant belonging to the Arum family, primarily found in the rainforests of Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Queensland. Due to its appealing characteristics, it has long been cultivated in South Asia. While this species offers edible leaves and stems, their consumption requires thorough cooking due to its elevated levels of raphides, which can induce itching. Nevertheless, the plant's colossal heart-shaped leaves serve a practical purpose, as they conveniently transform into impromptu umbrellas during tropical downpours.

Lagerstroemia Langkawiensis, a small tree belonging to the Lythraceae family, is an exclusive species native to Langkawi Island, situated in Western Malaysia. This tree is only found sporadically within open lowland rainforests occupying regions of limestone, quartzite, and shale in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. With a height ranging from 4 to 6 meters, it has become vulnerable in its natural habitat due to the loss of suitable surroundings. Its leaves are characterized by their simplicity, with lanceolate to oblong shapes measuring between 6 and 18 centimetres in length and 2.5 to 6 centimetres in width.

Acalypha Hispida, commonly known as Philippine Medusa or Red-Hot Cat Tail, is a popular house plant cherished for its captivating appearance and vibrant, furry flowers. Notably, this species exhibits dioecious traits, with distinct male and female members. The female plants produce small, 0.7 millimetre-long pistillate flowers that vary in colour from purple to brilliant red. These flowers cluster together along catkins, which can extend to a remarkable length of fifty centimetres (19.5 inches) or more. This unique characteristic is the main reason why the plant has earned its fitting nickname, "Red-Hot Cat Tail."

Tectona Grandis, commonly known as Teak, is a tropical hardwood tree belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This large, deciduous tree is primarily found in mixed hardwood forests. Teak has gained significant recognition in the wood industry due to its diverse applications, including boat building, exterior construction, veneer, furniture production, carving, turnings, and various small wood projects.

Terminalia Catappa, commonly known as the Sea Almond tree, is a renowned coastal tree species. With its distinctive pagoda-like shape, it can reach a towering height of up to 35 meters. The leaves cluster at the ends of the twigs, and as the season progresses, they undergo a striking transformation, transitioning to a vibrant red hue before gracefully descending. Interestingly, local fishermen have long utilized the leaves of this tree to maintain the pH balance of water, effectively preventing excessive acidity.

Salacca Wallichiana, a perennial palm species, showcases long, spiny leaves measuring between 3 and 7 meters in length. It grows in clusters, with creeping, tillering stems that can extend 3 to 5 meters below the surface. One of the notable attributes of Salacca Wallichiana is its prized edible fruit, particularly cherished in Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries.

Artorcarpus Rigidus, commonly known as Monkey Jack is a lofty, perennial tree with an impressive maximum height of 45 meters. Its trunk is characterized by a straight and cylindrical form, reaching diameters of up to 90cm. Primarily harvested from its natural habitats, Monkey Jack serves as a valuable local resource for both sustenance and materials. The timber derived from this tree is commercially sought after, contributing to the timber industry. Additionally, in certain regions such as Malaysia and Indonesia, efforts are made to cultivate the tree for its edible fruit, adding to its cultural and culinary significance.

Plumeria Rubra, known as Yellow Frangipani is genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Rauvolfioideae of the family Apocynaceae, holds significant cultural symbolism across different regions of the world. In Laos, it is revered as a symbol and is believed to be associated with ghosts and demons. Malaysians, on the other hand, associate its aroma with flourishing gardens, while Polynesians consider it as an indicator of their love life.

Pandanus Odoratissimus, commonly known as the Umbrella Tree, is a compact tree with a height ranging from 10 to 20 feet. This versatile plant originates from South East Asia and demonstrates adaptability to various environmental conditions, including full sun and partial shade. It displays a remarkable tolerance to both moderate water availability and drought, making it well-suited for different landscapes. Notably, the umbrella tree exhibits flood and seaside tolerance, allowing it to thrive in coastal regions, even in the presence of salt.