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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
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
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. |
