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Amesiodendron chinense

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Amesiodendron chinense (Merrill) Hu

Family Name: Sapindaceae
Synonyms: Amesiodendron tienlinense, Amesiodendron integrifoliolatum, Paranephelium chinense
Common Name: 细子龙

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Rounded, Weeping / Pendulous
Maximum Height 5 m to 25 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra)
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Small to medium-sized tree, up to 25m height. Crown densely rounded, with pendulous branches.
Foliage Mature leaves green, pinnately-compound; individual leaflets narrowly elliptical with slight bilateral asymmetry, with prominent veins and wavy-serrate margins. Young leaves emerge glossy red, aging to pinkish-orange, then green.
Flowers Species is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on same tree. Flowers unisexual, white, hairy on margins and bottom surface, produced at tips of branches in densely hairy inflorescences from May to July in native habitat.
Fruit Globose schizocarp, coarse shells mature to brown or black, densely covered by small pale brown lenticels, produced from August to November, containing 2cm wide seeds.
Habitat Primary rainforest tree, native to valleys, hill forests and limestone areas, 300-1000m altitude.
Cultivation Regenerates well. Tolerates alkaline soils, as well as acidic soils with pH as low as 4.5. Propagate by stem cuttings or seeds.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Amesiodendron' named after American botanist-orchidologist Oakes Ames (1874-1950), who was professor of economic botany at Havard University. Species epithet 'chinense' means 'Chinese', referring to its natural distribution in China.
Ethnobotanical Uses Others: Strong dense wood used in furniture-making. Categorized as near threatened by IUCN due to over-exploitation of valuable timber in certain regions.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Suitable for Roadsides, Swimming Poolside, Shade Providing Tree / Palm
Thematic Landscaping Water Garden, Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment
Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks pH 4.5 - 6.0. Also found naturally in limestone areas in China.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thin
Foliar Type Compound (Odd-Pinnate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate, Serrate / Toothed
Foliar Apex - Tip Cuspidate
Foliar Base Acute
Typical Foliar Area Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy)
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Remarks Red-pink-orange

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Bark Colour(s) Greenish to orange brown
Mature Bark Texture Cracked
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) White
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Black, Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Schizocarp

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1414
Species ID 2707
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: 20 August 2021.
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