Malaysian Tropical Forest

Issued in 1992

Tropical rainforests are an ancient but fast depleting natural wonder. The tropical rainforests have often being described as a “natural supermarket” as all of our every day’s basic essentials can be obtained from the forests such as food, drinks, fruits, medicine, etc.

At one time, tropical rainforest extent across the equator like a green belt but today, tropical rainforests cover less than 6% of the Earth's land area. The rainforests can only be found on three of the world's seven continents in the following geographical areas:

Central America - In the Amazon River basin.


Africa - Zaire basin, with a small area in West Africa and also in eastern Madagascar.


Indo-Malaysia - Borneo, Southeast Asia, West Coast of India, Assam, New Guinea and Queensland, Australia.

The present surface area of the rainforests may be quite small compared to most of the other biomes, but it still plays an important role in the world around us. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen and more than half of all the world’s plant and animal species can be found here, where hundreds of species are being discovered daily as scientists explore the dense growth that is home to millions of organisms.

Given the biodiversity of the plant species, many of the medications that are used today have been created through the combination of the exotic vegetation. In fact, about a quarter of all medication today is produced using resources from the rainforest.

Borneo is one of the last places in the world where you can still find magnificent tropical rainforests. The forests of northwest and north Borneo have some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Borneo is also the centre of evolution and radiation of many endemic species of plants and animals.

The remaining pristine tropical rainforests of Borneo is the only natural habitat for the endangered Orangutan and primates such as the Proboscis monkeys, which are endemic to Borneo and Tarsier. It is also an important refuge for many endemic forest species, and the Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Bornean Clouded Leopard.

There are roughly around 15,000 species of flowering plants with 3,000 species of trees (267 species are dipterocarps), 221 species of terrestrial mammals and 420 species of resident birds, which include eight species of hornbills, in Borneo (source: MacKinnon K, Hatta G, Halim H, Mangalik A. The ecology of Kalimantan. Oxford University Press, London. 1998). Borneo’s forest also provides a vast array of plant species - as many as 5,000 species.

14th Commonwealth Forestry Conference

Issued in 1993

Forestry, particularly timber harvesting, is a cornerstone of the British Columbia economy. Until recently, B.C.'s forests were not being adequately replenished after harvesting. The area not satisfactorily restocked (NSR) was growing at a significant rate. However, with the introduction of new policies and legislation, a substantial increase in funding, and a tremendous improvement in knowledge through research and education, the situation has been reversed. New laws require that all harvested areas be regenerated. Seedling survival has increased significantly and the backlog of NSR is being eliminated.

Timeline of Events
1920 - 1st Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference at London, England.
1921 - Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA) established as the Empire Forestry Association
1923 - 2nd Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference, Canada
1928 - 3rd Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference, Australia & New Zealand
1935 - 4th Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference, South Africa
1947 - 5th Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference, Oxford, England
1952 - 6th Commonwealth (Empire) Forestry Conference, Canada
1957 - 7th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Australia & New Zealand
1962 - 8th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, East Africa
1968 - 9th Commonwealth Forestry Conference1, New Delhi, India.
           Changing objectives of forest management
1974 - 10th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Oxford, England.
            The forest and global environment
1980 - 11th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Trinidad & Tobago.
            Forestry’s contribution to social and economic development
1985 - 12th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Victoria, Canada.
            Theme: Investment in forestry – the needs and opportunities
1989 - 13th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Rotorua, New Zealand.
            Forestry – a multiple-use enterprise
1993 - 14th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
            People, the environment and forestry – conflict or harmony
1997 - 15th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
            Forestry in a changing political environment: challenges for the 21st century
2001 - 16th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Fremantle, Australia.
            Forests in a changing landscape
2005 - 17th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
            Forestry’s contribution to poverty reduction
2010 - 18th Commonwealth Forestry Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.
            Restoring the Commonwealth’s forests: tackling climate change

Orchids of Malaysia

Malaysia is known for her lush tropical rainforests covering the large portion of the peninsular and the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Malaysia is also known for her beautiful orchid species ( Flora of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and Biodiversity and Conservation of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia ) such as the Vanda and Phalaenopsis found in their natural habitats as well as in cultivation. With the country's fast development towards industrialization, large tracts of the rainforests, like elsewhere, have been lost due to lumbering and other human activities. 

Orchids belong to the largest family of flowering plants, the Orchidaceae, which includes some 19,500 species in 804 genera ( Dressler, 1993 )． Of these, 854 species covering 141 genera are said to be indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia ( Seidenfaden and Wood, 1992 ) and over 1400 species in 147 genera to Borneo (Chan et al. 1994 ). Many of the orchid species, for example, the Paphiopedilum and Vanda are so showy that they are said to be in extinction in their natural habitats due more to horticultural collections than developmental activities. Even other inconspicuous orchids are also endangered because of their horticultural value as rare plants. As such, most of the orchid species are now listed as endangered species ( Pritchard 1989, Reid and Miller 1989, Waite 1989, Wood 1989 ). 

Although terrestrial orchids are less popular as commercial or ornamental plants compared to epiphytic orchids, many of them are equally attractive and worth preserving as germplasm for breeding purposes. Among these, Spathoglottis plicata, Arundina bambusifolia and Calanthe triplicata were selected for studies on conservation, breeding and artificial micropropagation. The justifications are ; 1) they are hardy and beautiful as pot plants or as garden orchids ; 2) because they are not as popular as Phalaenopsis or Dendrobium, they are not propagated in vitro but collected direct from their natural habitats, hence making them endangered ; 3) they are widely distributed both in Japan and in South East Asia and research fields are still available. 

Ecological survey of the wild orchids ( Wells and Willems 1991 ) is useful for not only their conservation but also their cultivation. In the present study, the authors focused on the genus Spathoglottis considering its presence in the natural habitats as well as the ecological conditions in which it grows. 

The genus Spathoglottis consists of about 40 species, widely distributed in the regions from India, southern Japan and China, down through the islands of the Pacific and northern Australia ( Seidenfaden and Wood, 1992 ). In Malaysia, six and seven species of the genus Spathoglottis grow wild in peninsular and Borneo, respectively. Spa. plicata is the most common species in the genus found growing either in the lowlands or elevated areas of Malay Peninsular and Borneo, Malaysia and Iriomote Island, southern part of Japan. The flowers of Spa. plicata can be in different shades of purple including white, as well as variations in shapes which attract collectors. 

Common Name or Meaning The Small-Lipped Spathoglottis

Flower Size 2 1/4" [5.5 cm]

Found in penninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and New Guinea in lower montane forests on roadside banks, ditches, edges of secondary forests and among mossy rocks near rivers at elevations of 900 to 1700 meters as a small to medium sized, warm growing terrestrial orchid with close set, ovoid pseudobulbs each carrying two to three, lanceolate, acuminate, plicate, petiolate base leaf that blooms in the summer in situ on a 2" or more [60 cm+] long, racemose inflorescence with flowers that may be self-pollinating and not open well.

J.J.Wood writes that S microchilina "has a very narrow, pointed, almost thread-like lip, only 1mm wide, whereas the lip of S aurea may be as mucha as 4mm wide and generally is a little more expanded and obtuse at the tip. The flowers of S aurea from Penninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and java, and now also recorded from Mt kinabalu are generally larger and of a darker yellow hue. Holttum [1964] admitted that S microchilina needed more field study and it seems possible that we are dealing here with one rather variable species."

Common Name Lobb's Bulbophyllum

Flower Size 3-4" Across [7.5 to 10 cm]

This unifoliate, small to medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphytic species is from Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines at altitudes of 200 to 2000 meters in lowland and montane forests on trunks and main branches of trees and has well spaced pseudobulbs with a persistent sheath that split into yellow fibers and carries a single, apical, leathery leaf and blooms on an erect, to 6" [15 cm] long, single flowered inflorescence that arises from a node on the rhizome and blooms in the summer on a large, fragrant, single flower on each new pseudobulb held at mid leaf. They are hot to warm growing and do best mounted or in a pot with a well draining medium and regular water and fertilizer but have caution, as the new pseudobulbs develop, is when fungus will occur from overwatering.

Common Name The Bearded Paphiopedilum - In Thailand V'ang u'ng

Flower Size to 3 1/5" [8 cm]

Found in Malaysia and penninsular Thailand in moist shady valleys on granite boulders covered with moss or on the ground in mossy and sandy or peaty areas at elevations of 700 to 1300 meters as a medium sized terrestrial with narrowly elliptic, thin in texture, dull and dark green mottled leaves that blooms in the spring on a 10" [25 cm] long, single [ocasionally 2] flowered inflorescence with a floral bract that is 1/4 the length of the ovary.

Common Name The Fragrant Aerides - In Thailand Kulap khao - Ueang pao - Kulap krapao pit - In China Xiang Hua Zhi Jia Lan

Flower Size 1 to 1 3/4" [2.5 to 4.4 cm]

This species is the type species for the genus and is widespread through the Chineses Himalayas, western Himalayas, Assam, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, India, Nepal, Andaman Islands, Myanamar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Penninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and the Philippines occuring in broadleaf evergreen lowland forests as a large to giant sized, highly variable, hot to cool growing epiphyte at elevations of 200 to 2000 meters high up in trees in bright sun with very stout, drooping, branching stems carrying fleshy, incurved, oblong-ligulate, round lobed at the apex, broad, pale green leaves. As it's name implies it is highly fragrant and blooms in the late spring through fall on up to 3, sharply pendant, to 2' [60 cm] long, many [to 30] flowered, cylindric inflorescence that arise out of the leaf axils and as developing can be very sticky and giving rise to many, waxy, very fragrant flowers.

1965 Malaysian Orchids Definitive Series

Released on the 15th November 1965


It was released in a set of 7 stamps, and there were 14 sets, for each state.

Paphiopedilum niveum is a species of orchid occurring from peninsular Thailand to peninsular Malaysia.

The bamboo orchid (Arundina graminifolia; syn. Arundina bambusifolia Lindl., Arundina speciosa Blume, Bletia graminifolia D.Don) is a species of orchid and the sole of the genusArundina.


This tropical Asiatic genus extends from India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia,Singapore, South China to Indonesia and across the Pacific Islands. It has been introduced inPuerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama and Hawaii.

The bamboo orchid is a terrestrial multiperennial orchid with reedy stems, forming into large clumps growing to a height between 70 cm and 2 m.

The plaited linear leaves are oblong lanceolate, with a length of 9 to 19 cm and a width of 0.8 to 1.5 cm. The apex is acuminate. There are amplexicaul (clasping the stem) sheathing stipules.

Spathoglottis plicata or Large Purple Orchid is a species of terrestrial orchid found from tropical and subtropical Asia to the western Pacific including Tonga and Samoa.

It occurs in Australia from Cooktown to the Jardine River on Cape York Peninsula and is listed as vulnerable. It is found in seasonally inundated and other moist ares, in sunny areas near swamps, seepages, and small streams. In Australia it flowers from September to April.

Spathoglottis plicata is listed as "vulnerable" in Australia. The main potential threats are considered to "include over-collection and illegal collection by orchid enthusiasts,disturbance and foraging by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), and altered hydrology (Landsberg & Clarkson, 2004).

It is the type species of the genus Spathoglottis.


Arachnis flos-aeris is an species in the genus Arachnis.

Plant blooms mainly in the fall with several 10 cm wide flowers. Flowers are fragrant with a musky scent.

Plants are found growing in the mangrove forest of peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines at elevations of sea level to 1000 meters.

Plants are best grown hanged in baskets and on mounted and usually require full sunlight and warm temperatures. If hunged the roots must be watered frequently. Plants should be grown in a large pot with media that is well drained such as tree fern fibers (for small plants),several pieces of coarse fir bark and charcoal, or sphagnum moss.

Rhynchostylis retusa (also called Foxtail Orchid) is an exotic blooming orchid, belonging to Vanda alliance. The orchid has a bunch consisting of 100 more than pink-spotted white flowers.

The plant is found in semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests woodlands at elevations of sealevel to 700 m, native to Malaya, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.

They have stout, repent, short stem carrying to 12, curved, fleshy, deeply channeled, keeld, retuse apically leaves and blooms on an axillary, pendant, to 60 cm long, racemose, densely many flowered, cylindrical inflorescence that occurs in the winter and early spring.

The plants die if the leaves are wet frequently. They prefer moderate waterings, heavy fertilizing, and very bright shade to direct morning light. Flowering is usually summer into fall. The plant is most common in North-East, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the plant is called by Telugu name Chintaranamu.

Medicinally the plant is used to treat wounds, cuts and bruishes. Due to bio-piracy, the plant is in the verge of extinction in India. Rhychostylis Retusa is recognized as the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

In Assam, it is popularly known as Kopou Phool, and is an integral part of a Bihu dancer's attire. Among the youths, this orchid is regarded as symbol of love. This orchid also acts as a symbol of fertility and merriment. The inflorescence is also used in the marriage ceremony of the local people. Considering the importance of this orchid, it is usually seen under cultivation in almost all Assameese families.

Hibiscus Rosa Stamp

This stamp depicting a flower PUBLIC worth 15 cents at the time. The hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia. After gaining independence, the Ministry of Agriculture have been directed to propose a suitable flower to be chosen as the national flower. At the end of the year 1958, the Ministry of Agriculture has proposed seven types of flowers to choose from as the Federation of Malaya, National Flower, the Flower Kenanga, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Lotus Flowers, Roses, Flowers and Flower Tanjung Cempaka. After discussion on July 28, 1960, Hibiscus has been declared a National Flower Federation of Malaya. When Malaya merged with Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia, Hibiscus continue to be used as a national flower. flower is widely grown as ornamental throughout the tropics and sub ​​tropics. The flowers are large, red, hard, but not bad. These stamps represent the states in Malaysia.

Flora stamp 1

Durian  
Durio zibethinus 
a.k.a. Civet Fruit  
Having one of the most pungent odors of any fruit in the world, the durian is either scorned or adored. Many regale its nutty, caramel tasting flesh, calling the durian the king of all fruits. Others will not go near it, for the intense odor, often overwhelmingly noxious, destroys any chance at enjoying the flavor. Flavor is sometimes described as a unique blend of nuts, spices, banana, and onions mixed together. Fruit is very large, sometimes over one foot long, and is covered in sharp, hard spikes.
Description: Large tree growing to 90-150ft.
Hardiness: Durian trees are extremely tropical and will be killed by temperatures in the mid 30's.
Growing Environment: Trees need lots of water and often grow naturally near stream and river banks where parts of their roots are constantly exposed to water. Grow in areas of high humidity.
Propagation: Propagation is sometimes by seed, which lose viability within a week upon removal from the fruit. Grafting is used to propagate superior varieties.
Uses: Usually eaten fresh out of hand. Also processed into ice creams, desserts, and candy.

Native Range: Native to peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Currently cultivated throughout southeast Asia and northern Australia. Frozen and canned durian are now available in many parts of the world but the quality pales in comparison to the fresh form. Fresh fruits are can sometimes be found for sale at $5-6 (US) a pound, with fruits weighing from 5-10 poundseach.

Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. It is a large genus with over 1000 species and most have showy flower displays. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas. It is the national flower of Nepal.

The Rhododendron is a genus characterized by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10-100 cm tall, and the largest, R. giganteum, reported to over 30 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves is covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as section Vireya that often grow as epiphytes.

Etlingera elatior (also known as Torch Ginger, Ginger Flower, Red Ginger Lily, Torch Lily, Wild Ginger, Combrang, Bunga Siantan, Philippine Wax Flower, Xiang Bao Jiaing, Indonesian Tall Ginger, Boca de Dragón, Rose de Porcelaine, Porcelain Rose) is a species of herbaceous perennial plant.Botanical synonyms include Nicolaia elatior, Phaeomeria magnifica, Nicolaia speciosa, Phaeomeria speciosa, Alpinia elatior, Alpinia magnifica.

The showy pink flowers are used in decorative arrangements while the flower buds are an important ingredient in the Nonya dish laksa. In North Sumatra, the flower buds are used for a dish called arsik ikan mas (Andaliman/Szechuan pepper Spiced Carp)

It is known in Indonesian as bunga kecombrang or honje, Malay as bunga kantan and Thai as ดาหลาdaalaa. In Thailand it is eaten in a kind of salad preparation.

In Karo, it is known as asam cekala (asam meaning 'sour'), and the flower buds, but more importantly the ripe seed pods, which are packed with small black seeds, are an essential ingredient of the Karo version of sayur asam, and are particularly suited to cooking fresh fish.

Fungi of Malaysia

Fungi are plants that have no roots, leaves flowers or chlorophyll. Their mode of life enables them to grow without sunlight. They cannot make their own food and so are saprophytes (obtaining their food from dead and decaying matter) or parasites (taking food from living plants and animals).

Fungi are much more than mere curiosities of the forest. In fact, of all the forms of life in the jungle, fungi are perhaps the most essential. As saprobes, fungi break down plant and animal matter, recycling nutrients and other important elements such as carbon and nitrogen back to nature. In this way, they directly or indirectly support all manner of life.

The species of fungi features here are:

a) Microporus xanthopus (Bracket Fungi) - 20¢
A member of the “pored” fungi, this fungus possesses millions of tiny pores on the underside of the cap instead of gills. The fungus grows on trees and fallen timber. Its fruiting bodies are leathery, hard and woody instead of fleshy, and are long-lasting.

b) Cookeina tricholoma (Cup Fungus) - 30¢
This brilliantly-coloured cup fungus with hair (trichomes) on the cup (apothecium) is reputed to be among the prettiest of all fungi. Its fruiting bodies are initially closed, but they expand with growth to become cup or disc-shaped. It is commonly found on fallen twigs or logs and may be completely sessile or supported by a short stalk.

c) Dictyophora phalloidea (Veil Fungus) - 50¢
This is a saprophytic fungus. The fruiting body springs out of the soil in the early morning and withers after a few hours. It gives off a nauseating stench to attract flies and other insects to help disperse its pores. The fungus has a characteristic veil or net-like expansion called indusium, hence its common name “veil fungus”.

d) Ramaria sp. (Coral Fungus) – RM1
This is one of the numerous species of highly branched coral fungi growing on the forest floor or dead tree stumps. It is bush-shaped and orange coloured. Its flesh is white and darkens slowly when exposed to air.