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Elaeocarpus angustifolius Blume
| Family Name: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Common Name: | Blue Marble Tree, Blue Fig, New Guinea Quandong, Quandong, Snowdrop Tree, Bead Tree of India, Indian Oil Fruit, Geniteri, Blue Quandong |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, the Pacific Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a fast-growing large tree with buttresses. It is able to grow up to 30 - 40 m tall in its natural habitat. |
|---|---|
| Crown | The crown is spreading and conical-shaped. |
| Trunk | Bark is light grey to brown and fissured. |
| Foliage | Leaves are dark green obovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate. Margins serrate, measuring about 8 - 15 cm long and 2.5 - 4.5 cm wide, petiole about 1 - 1.5 cm long, old leaves become red before falling off. |
| Flowers | Flowers are white with 5 petals. They are borne on an axillary raceme inflorescence about 2 - 4 cm long, petals divided at the tip into 4 or 5 lobes, stamens 25 - 50 present, ovary hairy. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a blue to purplish-blue globose fleshy drupe about 1.5 - 3 cm wide, contains 2 - 5 seeds. |
| Habitat | It can be found in rainforests. |
| Etymology | Genus Elaeocarpus is from Greek words "elaia" which means "olive" and "karpos" which means "fruit" and they refer to the fruits. Species angustifolius means narrow-leaved. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious: Aboriginals used to mixed the fresh fruits with water to make an edible paste. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1576 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2869 |
| 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. |
