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Syzygium pycnanthum Merr. & L.M.Perry
Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
Synonyms: | Syzygium foxworthianum (Ridl.) Merr. & L.M.Perry, Eugenia densiflora (Blume) Miq. |
Common Name: | Wild Rose Apple, Kelat Jambu, Kelat Asam, Kelampok, Kopo, Jambu Kapa, Jambon, Jambu Air Antan, Jambu Air Mawar Hutan, Kelat Lapis, Kelat Putih Bukit |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Conical, Irregular |
Maximum Height | 2 m to 21 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Riverine) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a small to medium-sized tree, up to 21m tall. |
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Crown | Rounded-conical, with erect stems and branching. |
Foliage | It has opposite stalked leaves that are leathery, usually elliptic oblong to oblong egg-shaped, 18–36 cm long by 4.6–10 cm wide, and each has a pointed leaf tip, 2–3 veins running parallel to the leaf margin, and up to 20 pairs of side veins. |
Flowers | It produces bisexual flowers that are pink or white, 3.8–5 cm across, and found in up to 15 cm long flower clusters located at the ends of its branches. |
Fruit | It produces fleshy fruits that are round, about 2–3 cm across, and pink to purple. |
Habitat | It grows in lowland and hill forests, often near rocky rivers, and on sandy and rocky shores. In Singapore, it can be found in Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and Pulau Ubin. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are probably pollinated by bats, and fruits are likely eaten by birds. |
Cultivation | Tolerates saline soils and salt spray. Propagate by seeds, stem cuttings or air-layering. Termite-resistant rootstock often used as graft stock for other Syzygium species. |
Etymology | Greek syzygos, joined, referring to the paired leaves of this species; Greek pycnanthum, dense-flowered, referring to the flowering shoot of this species |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Its flowers and fruits are edible, although the latter are sour and unpleasant. Timber & Products: It is harvested for timber. Others: Its bark is used to obtain brown dye. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable to be planted at roadsides, and coastal areas, as it can tolerate hot, sunny, high wind, and frequent salt spray conditions. It also has attractive showy flowers. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Coastal, General, Shade Providing Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits) |
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Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Moist Soils |
Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Raised / Sunken Veins, Leathery |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
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Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 1872 |
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Species ID | 3165 |
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. |