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Campnosperma auriculatum

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Campnosperma auriculatum (Blume) Hook.f.

Family Name: Anacardiaceae
Synonyms: Buchanania auriculata, Campnosperma auriculatum var. wallichii, Campnosperma oxyrhachis, Campnosperma wallichii
Common Name: Terentang, Serentang, Terentang Daun Besar, Napan

Campnosperma auriculatum or Terentang is a tree of up to 38 m tall, native to Singapore. It has leaves that are thick, large drop-shaped measuring up to 1.2 m long with a pair of ear-like lobes at the base of the stalk. The wood of Terentang is used to make bases of blow-pipe darts, canoes and veneer.

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Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Big (>30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 38 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Bangka Island, and Borneo
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree up to 38 m tall, with a flat-topped crown.
Foliage Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have thickly leathery leaf blades that are drop-shaped to narrowly drop-shaped, and 12–120 by 4.5–25 cm, with a pair of ear-like lobes (auricles) at the leaf stalk bases. Its leaf blades also mature from pinkish-brown, followed by brownish-green, to green, and finally wither yellow to brownish-yellow.
Flowers Its much-branched, flowering shoots are up to 50 cm long, and bear lemon-yellow flowers.
Fruit Its roundish, green fruits are 6–8 by 5–6 mm, and ripen dull reddish-purple.
Habitat It grows in hill, primary, secondary and freshwater or peat swamp forests, from the lowlands up to 1,000 m altitude.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are insect-pollinated.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Greek Campnosperma, bent seed, referring to the shape of the seed; Latin auriculatus, ear-shaped appendage, referring to the ear-like lobes found at base of the leaf stalk.
Ethnobotanical Uses Timber & Products: The wood does not split easily, and is used for making the bases of blow-pipe darts, canoes, and veneer.
Others: Oil exuded from the wood is known as terentang oil, and may be harmful to some people. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping This tree may be suitable for parks and large gardens, and tolerable to roadside conditions. Its large leaves, open crown that attracts establishment of epiphytes such as Staghorn fern make it attractive.
Landscape Uses General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Shade Providing Tree / Palm
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate to Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Oblanceolate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Auriculate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Panicle
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

References

References Chayamarit, K (2010). Anacardiaceae. Flora of Thailand, 10(3), pp. 276 - 277. Bangkok: Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department.

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Master ID 1485
Species ID 2778
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 25 August 2022.
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