What Asean wants: Powerful, peaceful, rich China

July 04, 2012

By Tommy Koh, The Straits Times

Published on Jul 4, 2012
 
 
An electronic version of the article can be accessed here.
The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.