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Koompassia malaccensis Maing. ex Benth.
Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
Synonyms: | Koompassia borneensis, Koompassia beccariana Taub. |
Common Name: | Kempas, Impas, Makupa, Mangris |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Irregular |
Maximum Height | 60 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a tree up to 60 m tall, with thick, plank-like buttresses. |
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Foliage | Its stalked, pinnate leaves have 5–14 leaflets each. The alternate, stalked leaflets have thinly to rigidly leathery leaf blades that are egg-shaped-oval, oval-oblong or lance-shaped, almost symmetrical, 5–13 by 1.5–5 cm, and usually with rounded bases. |
Flowers | Its up to 12 cm long, branched flowering shoot develops from the end of leafy twigs, and is densely covered with white flowers. |
Fruit | Its indehiscent fruit is a pod that is flat, oblong, thin, papery, 9.5–15 by 3–4.5 cm, twisted near the base, and with a broad wing all round. The fruit contains 1 flat seed that is purplish-black and shallowly wrinkled. |
Habitat | It grows in lowland forests up to 800 m altitude. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. It is also the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the moth, Pleuroptya balteata. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
Etymology | Latin koompassia, from the Malay name, kempas; Latin malaccensis, of Malacca, referring to one locality in the natural distribution of this species |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: The timber is used as firewood and charcoal. Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree: There are 2 individuals of Koompassia malaccensis listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable for parks. |
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Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Moth Food Plant |
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Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thin |
Foliar Type | Compound |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Elliptical, Oblong, Oblanceolate) |
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 |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
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Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 1691 |
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Species ID | 2984 |
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. |