Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small evergreen tree has round crown. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Straight trunk has grey to blackish, furrowed bark (17 cm wide at 1.5 m aboveground). |
| Foliage | Alternate, elliptic leaves have an entire leaf margin, acuminate apex and acute leaf base. They have short petioles, but relatively long, linear stipules (flaps of tissue located at the leaf base that are 2.2 cm long). The leaf underside is hairy. Leaves are thickly clustered near the branch tips. |
| Flowers | Unisexual flowers lack petals, having a creamy white, bell-shaped calyx (outermost layer of the flower) that becomes reddish (1.4 cm wide). The calyx has 5 oblong lobes with a pointed, hairy apex that tapers to long thin tip. The tips arch towards the center and unite together. The branched inflorescence is a panicle. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules (9.4 cm long). The red fruits contain black seeds. |
| Habitat | Found in the understorey of mixed dipterocarp forests at altitudes of 0 - 600 m. Often occurs on clay soils near streams and rivers, but sometimes on ridges. |
| Cultivation | Plant this species in fertile, well-drained soil. Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | The genus "Sterculia" is named after the Roman god Sterculius, the god of manure. The reference is to the foul-smelling flowers of some species in this genus. The species epithet "stipulata" is Latin for stipules; it refers to the large stipules of this species. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1850 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3143 |
| 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. |
