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Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) DC.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Synonyms: | Jambosa longicauda Ridl., Eugenia zeylanica, Eugenia varians Miq., Myrtus zeylanica L., Syzygium spicatum (Lam.) DC., Eugenia spicata Lam. |
| Common Name: | Spicate Eugenia, Kelat Nasi Nasi, Kelat Nenasi, Gelam Tikus, Gelam Paya, Gelam Tikus Laut, Kelat Merah, 锡兰蒲桃 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m), Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Oval |
| Maximum Height | 5 m to 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From East Madagascar, through India, South China to Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Riverine, Primary Rainforest, Mountain, Freshwater Swamp Forest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a shrub or tree that can grow up to 18 m tall, attain 100 cm in girth size, with oval to rounded crown. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Reddish-brown and papery-flaky in mature specimens. |
| Foliage | It has opposite, short-stalked leaves that are leathery, lance-shaped, 3–11 cm long by 1.1–5.5 cm wide, purplish pink when young, and each has a pointed leaf tip, 1 vein running parallel to the leaf margin, and 10–14 pairs of side veins. Mature leaves dark glossy green above, paler green below, with numerous secondary veins spaced 2-3 mm apart and at 80°-85° angle from midvein, veins conspicuous on upper leaf surface and slightly raised on bottom surface, intramarginal vein indistinct and around 1mm from leaf's edge; young leaves purplish to brownish pink and very glossy. |
| Flowers | It produces bisexual flowers that are white, faintly fragrant, and found in up to 2.5–4 cm long flower clusters located at ends of its branches, or axils of its leaves. |
| Fruit | It produces fleshy fruits that are oblong or oblong-round, 0.5–0.7 cm long, white, and each contains 1 greenish seed. The small berries ripen from greenish to white (freckled with several brownish spots), persistent sepals on base, single seed, relatively thin pulp is soft and fleshy, with fresh scent reminiscent of Syzygium aqueum (Jambu Air, Water Apple), eaten by birds, squirrels and fruit-eating animals. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland to montane forests, which includes secondary forests, and also in swamps, and by rivers, and seashores. In Singapore, it can be found in Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Labrador Nature Reserve, Lazarus Island, Mount. Faber, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin, and Singapore Botanic Garden. |
| Similar | May be confused with the taller Syzygium lineatum, but the latter species can be differentiated by its bigger, matte dark green mature leaves with more closely-spaced secondary veins and distinct marginal vein, light green young leaves, larger fruits (10 - 13mm across), and pinkish-grey trunk. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers produce nectar that attracts insects like bees, butterflies and day-flying moths (Syntomis huebneri). It is also the larval host plant for the Copper Flash butterfly (Rapala pheretima sequeira). Its fruits are eaten birds, squirrels, and other fruit-eating animals. |
| Cultivation | Hardy plant, tolerates poor soils and salt spray. Propagate by seeds, stem cuttings or air-layering. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Syzygium' derived from 'syzygos' (Greek for 'joined'), alluding to the opposite paired leaves. Species epithet 'zeylanicum' refers to Ceylon (old name for Sri Lanka), where the species is also naturally distributed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Herb or Spice) (Fruit or Vegetable): Sweetly scented berries are edible, although there is not much pulp. Medicinal: Leaf Infusion used to treat diarrhoea, decoction of leaves and roots used as vermifuge, and for their anti-diabetic and anti-rheumatic properties. Timber & Products: Reddish-brown wood used as firewood, or for building houses, rafts and agricultural tools. Others: Folk legend has it that rubbing leaves on chest of elephant makes it docile. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting along streetscapes, parks and gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers, Fruits) (Time Independent, Day), Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Trunk |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Coastal, General, Shade Providing Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Beachfront / Shoreline, Riverine |
| Thematic Landscaping | Moonlight Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | During fruiting season, numerous fleshy small berries may cause litter problem and slippery conditions. |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | Sandy soils |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits), Butterfly-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant, Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Moist Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 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) | Reddish-brown |
| Mature Bark Texture | Peeling / Flaking / Papery |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Period | Hot & Dry Period |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | 1 Day |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1873 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3166 |
| 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. |
