Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium to large-sized tree, able to grow up to about 20 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green oblong-elliptic leaves, measuring about 15 - 22 cm long and 5 cm wide, petiole about 1 cm long, young leaves reddish-green. |
| Flowers | White flowers borne on short axillary cyme inflorescence about 2 cm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is globose in shape and about 5 cm wide. |
| Habitat | Can be found in lowland to lower montane forests and hill forest areas. |
| Etymology | Genus Diospyros is from the ancient Greek name "diospyron" used by Greek philosopher Theophrastus for the fruit of the nettle-tree. "Diospyron" is from two Greek words "dios" which means "divine" and "pyros" which means "grain", hence giving the meaning of "divine grain". Species tristis means dull-coloured. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Red |
|---|---|
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1561 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2854 |
| 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. |
