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Muntingia calabura

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Muntingia calabura

Family Name: Muntingiaceae
Common Name: Buah Cheri, Malayan Cherry, Singapore Cherry, Calabura, Cherry Tree, Japanese Cherry, Jamaican Cherry, West Indian Cherry Tree, Kerukup-Siam, Buah Ceri, Capulin, Panama Berry, 西印度櫻桃

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Small (6m-15m))
Maximum Height 3 m to 12 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Tropical America
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology A small tree of 3-12m in height, which has fan-like branches and is droopy, thus resulting in it’s tiered tree form. Leaves are evergreen of about 4-14cm long and 1-4cm wide. Leaves are simple, ovate-lanceolate, dark-green and minutely hairy on the upper side, asymmetry of leaf blade base, and leaf margin serrate. Flowers have white petals and are 1.25-2cm wide with 5 green sepals, 5 white petals and many prominent yellow stamens.Fruits are 1-1.25cm in diameter, with red or sometimes orangey-yellow smooth skin. Several thousands tiny seeds are found in the soft pulp, but are too fine to be noticed when eating. It is able to thrive in both acid and alkaline conditions, and is drought-resistant but not salt tolerant.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: The sapwood is yellowish, compact, fine-grained, and can be easily used for general carpentry. It is also a potential source for fuel as it ignites quickly upon being burnt, with intense heat and gives off little smoke. Fruits are well-like by children. It tastes sweet and is similar to the taste of cotton candy. Bats are also attracted to the fruits. Fruits can also be made into jam and cooked in tarts. Flower infusions have antispasmodic values and are taken to relieve headaches or the very first symptoms of a cold.

Landscaping Features

Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bee-Attracting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Hairy / Hirsute
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate)
Foliar Base Oblique / Asymmetrical
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1743
Species ID 3036
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.
Species record last updated on: 18 February 2022.
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