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Lophanthera lactescens

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Lophanthera lactescens

Family Name: Malpighiaceae
Common Name: Golden Chain Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical, Open
Maximum Height 20 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Brazil, Uruguay
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Tree, up to 20m height. Leaves, mid-green, whorled. Flowers, yellow, small, up to 300 individual flowers in inflorescence, provide nectar for bees. Inflorescence showy, in pendulous chain, lasts several weeks on plant as flowers open from base upwards. Fruits small, mature to pale grey, containing single brown-black seed.Heartwood yellowish, resistant to insect attack. Bark has milky white sap.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides
Thematic Landscaping Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering
Propagation Method Remarks Seeds from ripe fruits should be sowed fresh to ensure viability.

Foliar

Foliage Retention Deciduous
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Whorled
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
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
Mature Bark Texture Scaly
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root)
Mature Bark Texture Remarks Bark, pale green, thin, has bitter milky sap.

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flower Size - Remarks Small, up to 300 flowers in inflorescence chain
Inflorescence Type Thryse
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Opening Time Time-Independent
Flower Lifespan on Plant Several Weeks
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Silver / Grey
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Schizocarp

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1710
Species ID 3003
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: 14 October 2021.
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