Singapore's Botanical Gardens has one of the world's largest collections of plants and it is a leader in horticulture research. CGTN's Miro Lu gives us this report.

A UNESCO world heritage site - the Singapore Botanic Gardens is located in the heart of the bustling city-state. Predating modern Singapore, it has continued to play an important role in the conservation of native flora and fauna. Over its 160-year-old history, it has evolved from a British colonial garden to a world-class scientific institution for research, conservation and education.

SHEE ZHI QIANG, DIRECTOR HORTICULTURE & OPERATION, SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS "The Singapore Botanic Gardens was responsible for the discovery of many plants within the region. The Singapore Botanic Gardens was actually one of the first institutions to use tissue culture in a very big way to propagate orchids and so you can see the results today in the thriving orchid industry in Singapore."

Since its early years, the Gardens has been in the forefront of research in botany and horticulture. One of its earliest success stories is the development of plantation rubber. The Gardens' first scientific Director, Sir Henry Ridley perfected the technique to extract latex without killing the tree - a method which is still used today. 

SHEE ZHI QIANG, DIRECTOR HORTICULTURE & OPERATION, SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS "At the height of the rubber industry which also coincided with the introduction of motor cars, the Singapore Botanic Gardens actually delivered more than 900,000 seeds to various parts of the world as far away as Egypt and even back to rubber's own home in South America."

The Gardens is home to over 50 heritage trees, Singapore's oldest ornamental swan lake and even a ginger garden. Its newer additions include an ethnobotany garden which studies the use of plants by traditional societies and a wetland habitat.

SHEE ZHI QIANG, DIRECTOR HORTICULTURE & OPERATION, SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS "Most other Botanic Gardens focus on the conversation of individual species or plants. What we have done here is conserve an entire ecosystem within the Botanic Gardens."

MIRO LU SINGAPORE "This Tembusu tree is over 150 years old and it's on the five dollar bill in Singapore. Just like this iconic tree, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has stood the test of time thanks to its strong ecosystem. As a go to place for both locals and tourists, the Gardens has been an integral part of Singapore's cultural heritage. A role it will continue to play in the years to come. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore."