Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Irregular |
Maximum Height | 10 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Peninsular 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 (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a tree to 10 m tall. |
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Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oblong, 14–25 by 4.5–11 cm, and with a slight waxy layer on the undersides. |
Flowers | Its white-yellow flowers are found in clusters or short shoots from the leaf axils and twigs. |
Fruit | Its red-blue-purple fruits are round, 1.2 cm wide, and with very short beaks. They are also seated on cup-shaped structures formed by the non-reproductive flower parts. |
Habitat | It grows in lowland and hill forests. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated, and fruits are eaten by birds or mammals. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
Etymology | Litsea, from the Mandarin characters li; plum, and tse, little, referring to the plant’s Chinese name; Latin accedens, approaching, resembling |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable for parks. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
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Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
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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 |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
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) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 1707 |
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Species ID | 3000 |
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. |