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Clusia rosea 'Variegata'

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Clusia rosea 'Variegata'

Family Name: Clusiaceae (Guttiferae)
Common Name: Variegated Autograph Tree, Variegated Balsam Apple, Variegated Pitch Apple

Clusia rosea 'Variegata' is a tree with broad and spreading crown. The leaves exhibit striking variegations with vivid, yellow streaks. These irregular stripes create a visually captivating and ornamental pattern on the leaf's surface.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution It is of horticultural origins.
Local Conservation Status

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree or hemi-epiphyte with broad and spreading crown. It can reach 10 – 30 m tall and produces yellowish white sap when any parts of the plant are injured.
Foliage Leaves are glossy, stiff leathery and in opposite arrangement. They exhibit striking variegations with vivid, yellow streaks. These irregular stripes create a visually captivating and ornamental pattern on the leaf's surface.
Flowers The flowers are large and showy.
Fruit Fruit is round and capsular. It turns turn greenish brown when ripe and splits into 8 – 9 parts, revealing seeds which are enclosed within a red aril.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Clusia’ is named in honor of Carolus Clusius (1526 – 1609), also known as Charles De L’Ecluse, a pioneering botanist known for introducing new plant species to Europe. His cultivation of tulips in Leiden laid the foundations of the Dutch tulip bulb industry. The specific epithet ‘rosea’, in Latin, means rose-like.
Ethnobotanical Uses Others: It is commonly cultivated for its ornamental foliage.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is commonly cultivated for its ornamental foliage.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens
Usage Hazard - Cons Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting (Fruits)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Cream / Off-White, Green, Yellow / Golden
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Pink, White
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1523
Species ID 2816
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: 21 March 2024.

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