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Cojoba arborea (L.) Britton & Rose
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Wild Tamarind |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tree to 40m tall, with buttress roots. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves compound, with 9-12 pairs of pinnae; each pinnae bearing 20-50 pairs of leaflets; leaflets 0.15-0.5cm wide. |
| Flowers | Flower heads globose (rounded), 3-3.5cm across, greenish white. |
| Fruit | Pods to 12cm in length, strongly constricted between the seeds, ripening bright red on the outer surface; seeds black. |
| Habitat | In lowland, coastal forests and mountains to 1200m |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: In its native range, this species is used for reforestation projects as it is fast growing. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | This tree should be planted away from areas with pedestrian/ traffic as the pods and seeds can litter the pavements & roads/ may be slippery. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Seeds) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Planting Remarks | The seeds cannot withstand dessication and should be sown as soon as they are collected. They should be sown superficially (lightly covered by the substrate) and not buried, as buried seeds do not germinate well. Seeds should be soaked for up to 24 hours prior to sowing as this will enhance germination rates. |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31900 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6301 |
| 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. |