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Dillenia grandifolia Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson
| Family Name: | Dilleniaceae |
| Synonyms: | Dillenia eximia Miq., Dillenia scortechinii (King). Ridl. |
| Common Name: | Stilted Simpoh, Simpoh Daun Merah |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 36 m |
| Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter | 2 |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a deciduous tree up to 36 m tall and 2.4 m girth, with buttresses merging into stilt roots. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are elliptic to drop-shaped, slightly hairy, tapering to the base, and 35 by 15 cm, with 18–28 pairs of veins. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are without petals, yellowish, and about 2.5 cm across. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are slightly flattened-round, not splitting, dark green, and about 2.5 cm across. |
| Habitat | It grows in primary and old secondary forests on low undulating land and hillsides at low altitude (up to 300 m). It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest and in the vicinity of Upper Seletar Reservoir. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin Dillenia, commemorating Johann Jacob Dillenius (1687–1747), Professor of Botany at Oxford, author of Historia Muscorum and Hortus Elthamensis; Latin grandifolia, with large leaves, referring to the large leaf blades of this species |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It has horticultural potential as a park plant for its large ornamental leaves, and stilt roots. It tolerates waterlogged soils. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Orange |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1548 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2841 |
| 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. |
