The Rainbow That Ants Drop Off From

5:27 PM  , , , ,  

East, Singapore
July & August 2012


Merlion Wayfarer found the only Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus Deglupta, Mindanao Gum / Rainbow Eucalyptus / Rainbow Gum) in Singapore!

Located in a small cosy wood, it was tucked away in a little corner of the park with just a worn out sign denoting its "Heritage Tree" status.

The Heritage Tree signboard which was first spotted in July and
replaced with a brand new plate in August 2012...

What's so special about this tree?
  • This is the sole species of Eucalyptus that is native to an area above the Equator. (Well, Singapore is one degree north of the Equator.)
  • Found mainly in New Guinea, Sulawesi and Mindanao, there is only ONE Rainbow Eucalyptus tree in the whole of Singapore!
  • The spectacular bark shows off a wide variety of colors all at once.
  • Unlike most other trees, its bark flakes off by layered strips as it matures. 

Instances of its flaking bark with the active eco-system that it fosters -
Hasarius Adansoni (Adanson's House Jumper) Female Spider, Oecophylla Smaragdina (Weaver Red Ant, Kerengga Ant) Ants, Hasarius Adansoni (Adanson's House Jumper) Male Spider,
Menemerus Bivittatus (Common House Jumper)...

More about the rainbow colouring in this description:

"The tree gets its common name from the striking stripes of color on its trunks and limbs. While they look as though they were painted on, these  ever-changing colors are an entirely natural feature. Unlike trees such as oaks, rainbow eucalyptus does not have a thick, corky layer of bark on the trunk.

Instead, the bark is smooth and vibrantly alive, and as it grows, it exfoliates thin layers of spent tissue. This process occurs in irregular zones at different times. Once the layers come off, they reveal new and fresh green bark. As the newly exposed bark slowly ages, it changes from bright green to a darker green, then bluish to purplish, and then pink-orange. Finally, the color becomes a brownish maroon right before exfoliation occurs.

Since this process is happening in different zones of the trunk and in different stages, simultaneously, the colors are varied and almost constantly changing. As a result, the tree will never have the same color pattern twice, making it like a work of living art."

Merlion Wayfarer made one fascinating discovery about the Rainbow Gum tree today. Like the bevy of spiders and other insects that throng up and down the tree, the ants most visibly had the most difficulty climbing up the tree. Once they reach about the two-metre mark (from ground level), most of the ants started falling off the tree!

Possible reasons why could be the lubricating effect of the oil secreted by the leaves or the newness of the constantly-flaking bark. The real reason remains to be discovered. Merlion Wayfarer awaits to be enlightened by a learned scholar out there...

The full albums are available at:

Sources