Back
Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Synonyms: | Melaleuca symphyocarpa |
| Common Name: | Liniment Tree, Waria-waria Tree |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia, Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, able to grow up to about 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves bluish-green, linear in shape, parallel veins, measuring about 9 cm long and 2 cm wide, scented when crushed. |
| Flowers | Flowers golden orange and arranged in ball-like clusters. |
| Fruit | Fruits dry dehiscent aggregated capsules, turning from green to brown when mature. |
| Habitat | Can be found in swampy coasts. |
| Etymology | Genus Asteromyrtus is from Greek words "aster" which means "a star" and "myrtos" which means "myrtle". Species symphyocarpa means "growing together fruit". |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Medicinal: Plant produces theraputic essential oils similar to Eucalyptus oil. Leaves are harvested for oils and can be used to treat colds, aches and baldness. Crushed leaves inhaled raw or over steam to treat headaches and clear nasal congestion. Also rubbed over body or chest to relieve pain and breathing difficulties. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers, Foliage) (Time Independent) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Coastal, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Blue, Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Grey |
| Mature Bark Texture | Fissured |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Aggregate Fruit (Syncarp) |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1441 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2734 |
| 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. |