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Kopsia arborea Blume
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Kopsia longiflora Merr., Kopsia scortechinii King & Gamble, Kopsia laxinervia Merr., Kopsia lancibracteolata Merr., Kopsia jasminiflora Pit., Kopsia pitardii Merr., Kopsia pruniformis Rchb.f. & Zoll. ex Bakh.f., Kopsia officinalis Tsiang & P.T. Li, Kopsia flavida auct. non Blume |
| Common Name: | Shrub Vinca, Penang Sloe |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical |
| Maximum Height | 14 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, eastwards to Australia (Queensland) and the Philippines. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 14 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Its trunk grows up to 30 cm diameter, and its bark is gray in colour. |
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves are elliptic, with a leathery texture, and are 4.5-30.5 cm long and 1.4-12 cm wide. The margins are wavy and curl upwards. The older leaves will change colour from green to blood red before falling off. Each leaf has 11 to 17 pairs of veins and the margins are tapers to a blunt tip. |
| Flowers | Its stalked, tubular flowers are white with 5 narrow petals, and are 2-3.5 cm long and 1.4-4 cm wide. The flowers are arranged on a stalked inflorescence. They bear a slight resemblance to jasmine flowers, but are not fragrant. It is free-flowering. |
| Fruit | The fruits are oblong, about 2.5cm long and resemble olives. They start out green and turn blue-black and glaucous when ripened. The fruit is a drupe that contains a single large endocarp, and exudes a white sap when plucked or cut. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forest and forest margins, from sea level up to 1500m altitude. |
| Cultivation | Propagated from cuttings. Grows well in bright conditions from full sun to partial shade. Can adapt to various types of soil conditions. It does not have any major pest problems. Pruning can be done manually if required, for example pruning of spent flowers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Bark can be decocted and used as an enema. Leaves and fruits may be used to cure sore throats and tonsillitis. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is commonly planted along parks, gardens and minor roads, especially where the planting verge is narrow, due to its compact size and habit. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, General, 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 |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| 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 - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Caudate |
| Foliar Base | Acute, Cuneate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Blue, Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1692 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2985 |
| 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. |
