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Ehretia microphylla Lam.
| Family Name: | Ehretiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam., Cordia retusa |
| Common Name: | Tsaang-Gubat, Fukien Tea Tree, Wild Tea, Scorpion Bush, 满福木 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 4 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malesia, China, India and Philippines |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium-sized shrub to small tree, able to grow up to 1 - 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves, usually in clusters of 3 - 5, obovate and measuring 1.5 - 4 cm long and 0.8 - 2.5 cm wide, petiole measuring about 1 - 5 mm long, toothed towards the apex. |
| Flowers | Small white flowers, measuring 8 - 10 mm wide, sepals 4 -5 and lanceolate in shape, measuring 3 -4 mm long, calyx lobes 4 - 5 and measuring 3 - 4 mm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a drupe, globose in shape, measuring 4 - 5 mm wide, red to brownish orange when ripen. |
| Etymology | Species retusa refers to the leaf-apex shape of the plant, which is shallowly indented. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous, Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Rough, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Rough, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 488 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1784 |
| 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. |
