Back

Kopsia fruticosa (Roxb.) A.DC.

Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Synonyms:	Cerbera fruticosa, Kopsia vincaeflora, Acokanthera roxburghii, Kopsia roxburghii
Common Name:	Pink Kopsia, Shrub Vinca, Kopsia Merah, Pink Gardenia, Chabai Hutan, 红花蕊木

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Ornamental Flowers

Drought Tolerant

Shrub

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub, Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Shrubby
Maximum Height	1 m to 4 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Myanmar
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Usually an evergreen woody shrub with a spreading growth habit, but occasionally a small tree. Stem: Young stems are covered in tiny, soft hairs (puberulent). Mature stem has greyish bark and indistinct angles. Foliage: Opposite leaves are narrowly elliptic or oblong with wavy leaf margin and distinct drip tip (10 - 23 cm long, 2.5 - 9 cm wide). Glossy, leathery leaves have slightly sunken veins that create a quilt-like texture. Flowers: Salverform, 5-lobed flowers are pink with a dark red throat (3 - 5 cm long, 1.5 - 2.5 cm wide). Flowers are arranged in small clusters near the stem tips. Fruits: Fleshy, pitted, 1-seeded fruits are known as drupes (2.5 cm long, 2 cm wide). They are dull red, ellipsoid and covered in soft hairs. Landscaping: This species is planted as an ornamental shrub, because it produces lovely pink flowers throughout the year. It is usually planted in small groups and can be used as a hedge or barrier. In addition, this plant grows well in containers and would be suitable for a sunny patio. Cultivation: This species grows slowly at about 10 cm a year. Specimens should be planted 0.5 - 0.6 m apart in fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5 - 7.5). This species is highly adaptable, tolerating both drought and waterlogged soils. It will flower best under full sun, but it also grows well under partial shade. Avoid pruning frequently, because it inhibits both flowering and overall growth. Propagation: Propagate by seed, stem cuttings, marcotting and air layering. Etymology: The species epithet "fruticosa" is derived from the Latin word for bushy ("fruticosus"), referring to the species' growth habit.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Usually an evergreen woody shrub with a spreading growth habit, but occasionally a small tree. Stem: Young stems are covered in tiny, soft hairs (puberulent). Mature stem has greyish bark and indistinct angles. Foliage: Opposite leaves are narrowly elliptic or oblong with wavy leaf margin and distinct drip tip (10 - 23 cm long, 2.5 - 9 cm wide). Glossy, leathery leaves have slightly sunken veins that create a quilt-like texture. Flowers: Salverform, 5-lobed flowers are pink with a dark red throat (3 - 5 cm long, 1.5 - 2.5 cm wide). Flowers are arranged in small clusters near the stem tips. Fruits: Fleshy, pitted, 1-seeded fruits are known as drupes (2.5 cm long, 2 cm wide). They are dull red, ellipsoid and covered in soft hairs. Landscaping: This species is planted as an ornamental shrub, because it produces lovely pink flowers throughout the year. It is usually planted in small groups and can be used as a hedge or barrier. In addition, this plant grows well in containers and would be suitable for a sunny patio. Cultivation: This species grows slowly at about 10 cm a year. Specimens should be planted 0.5 - 0.6 m apart in fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5 - 7.5). This species is highly adaptable, tolerating both drought and waterlogged soils. It will flower best under full sun, but it also grows well under partial shade. Avoid pruning frequently, because it inhibits both flowering and overall growth. Propagation: Propagate by seed, stem cuttings, marcotting and air layering. Etymology: The species epithet "fruticosa" is derived from the Latin word for bushy ("fruticosus"), referring to the species' growth habit.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	General, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping	Butterfly Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Drought Tolerant
Maintenance Requirements	Moderate
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting, Marcotting, Air-Layering

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Leathery, Raised / Sunken Veins

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Acute
Typical Foliar Area	Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ), Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm)	Woody
Bark Colour(s)	greyish
Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Root Type

Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Pink, Red, White
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Salverform

Flower Size - Remarks	3 - 5 cm long, 1.5 - 2.5 cm wide
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic
Inflorescence Size Remarks	Pink --> White

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Drupe

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	1693
Species ID	2986
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.