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Monoon longifolium 'Pendula'
| Family Name: | Annonaceae |
| Synonyms: | Polyalthia longifolia 'Temple Pillar', Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula |
| Common Name: | False Ashoka, False Asoka, Mast Tree, Indian Mast Tree, Weeping Mast Tree, Green Champa, Mempisang, 长叶暗罗 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Columnar, Weeping / Pendulous |
| Maximum Height | 15 m to 20 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Narrow tree with distinctive weeping, columnar crown. Neat and formal appearance makes it suitable for lining avenues. Regarded as sacred in India and Sri Lanka, and commonly planted around Hindu temples. Leaves strung into wreaths and used during weddings and hung on doors during Hindu festivals. |
|---|---|
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Leaf extracts have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Bark used in Ayurverdic medicine to treat fever, diabetes, hypertension and intestinal worms. Wood used to make pencils, boxes, matches and drum cylinders. Tall straight trunks used to make masts of sailing ships, hence the common name, Mast Tree. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers, Foliage, Stems) (Time Independent), Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, General, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Formal Garden |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | Adapted to wide range of soil types. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bat)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Drought Tolerant |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Planting Distance | 1 to 1 |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Orange |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Dark grey |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
| Mature Bark Texture Remarks | Gets more cracked with age |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 3.5 - 4.5 cm across |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flowering Period Remarks | Twice a year, when leaves are shed. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
References
| References | Xue, B., Su, Y.C.F., Thomas, D. C & Saunders, R.M.K. 2012. Pruning the polyphyletic genus Polyalthia (Annonaceae) and resurrecting the genus Monoon. Taxon. 61. 5. 1021-1039 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1787 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3080 |
| 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. |
