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Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC.
| Family Name: | Gentianaceae |
| Synonyms: | Fagraea fragrans Roxb. |
| Common Name: | Tembusu, Tembusu Hutan, Tembusu Tembaga, Common Tembusu, Temusu, Temensu, Temesu, Semesu, Anan, Tembusu-padang, Ironwood, 香灰莉 |
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 | 30 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northeast India to Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 30 m tall, with deeply fissured bark, and with buttress roots up to 2.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have thinly leathery to leathery leaf blades that are usually elliptic, distinctly tipped, and 5–13 by 2–5.5 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are bisexual, and develop in 4–12 cm wide flowering clusters (inflorescence) that develop at the leaf axils. Its flowers are cream-white turning yellow, fragrant, and about 2 cm across. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are berries that are broadly ellipsoid or round, tipped, green turning orange or red, and are 4.5–10 mm across. Its seeds are 1–2 mm across. |
| Habitat | It grows in evergreen or mixed deciduous forests, including secondary vegetation, and also in grass fields, open and swampy lowlands, along roads, and beaches, up to 800 m altitude. It is can be found locally in Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Kent Ridge, and Pulau Ubin. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are visited by butterflies of the Hesperidae family, and moths, such as the humming-bird hawk-moths (Macroglossa luteata and Macroglossa insipid). The fruits and seeds are eaten and dispersed by bats, Pteropus edulis and Cynopterus species, and birds, such as Asian Glossy Starling, Daurian Starling, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Jambu Fruit Dove, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Olive-winged Bulbul, Black-naped Oriole, Coppersmith Barbet, Asian Koel, Straw-headed Bulbul, Blue-winged Leafbird and Cinereous Bulbul |
| Cultivation | This slow-growing species can live to be more than 100 years old. It is tolerant of waterlogged soils and usually resistant to pests and diseases. |
| Etymology | Greek Cyrtophyllum, curved leaf. Latin fragrans, fragrant, referring to the plant’s flowers |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The bark can be made into a decoction to alleviate fever and to treat dysentery. The leaves and twigs can be made into a decoction to be drunk for treating severe diarrhoea. Timber & Products: The strong timber is long-lasting and resistant to termites. It is used in various construction projects, such as bridges, boats and panelling. In Singapore, large wooden chopping boards used by hawkers are sometimes made from Tembusu timber. Cultural / Religious: The back of the Singapore 5-dollar note features a Tembusu tree. This tree is located in Singapore Botanic Gardens in Lawn E near the Botany Centre. Heritage Tree : There are 8 individuals of Cyrtophyllum fragrans listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. They are found all over various parts of Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. Others: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and planted for shade along roads. The tree is used in reforestation. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It can be planted along roads or in gardens for shade, its attractive fragrant flowers, and red berries that would attract bats and birds. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) (Night) |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, General, Parks & Gardens, Riverine, Shade Providing Tree / Palm, Reforestation |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden, Bird & Wildlife Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly-Attracting, Bat Food |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | 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, Poor Infertile Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Good |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Orange, Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flower Transitional Changes | Colour |
| Flowering Period | A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Calendar | May, Jun, Oct, Nov |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
| Fruiting Calendar - Angiosperm and Higher Non-Angiosperm | Jun, Jul, Nov, Dec |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1602 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2895 |
| 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. |
