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Triphasia trifolia
| Family Name: | Rutaceae |
| Common Name: | Limeberry, Limau Keah, Limau Kiah, Limau Kikir, Kelingket |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub |
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Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Christmas Islands |
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| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Typically a shrub up to 3 m tall, but sometimes forms a small tree. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Compound leaves are composed of 3 elliptic leaflets with the terminal leaflet twice as large as the lateral leaflets (terminal leaflet: 2-4 cm long, lateral leaflets: 1.2-2 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide). A pair of spines is located at the base of the leaf petiole. |
| Flowers | Fragrant, white flowers are composed of 3 oblanceolate petals which are reflexed at the tip. They are produced throughout the year in small clusters of 2-3 in the leaf axils (area between the upper surface of the leaf and adjacent stem). |
| Fruit | Reddish orange to bright red, fleshy fruits are round to ellipsoid (1-1.5 cm long). The fruit peel contains many oil glands that smell like lemon. Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds embedded within a mucilaginous pulp. Fruits are produced continuously throughout the year. |
| Habitat | This species was classified as an aggressive and invasive plant by Daley et al. (2012). It colonizes the understory of native forests by spreading through bird droppings and forming dense thickets. It has invaded some of the native forests of St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) and is difficult to remove. |
| Cultivation | This species grows both in open sunny areas and deep shade. It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils and grows best in sandy loam soil (pH 5-6). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Medicinal: The fruits of the plant are used to treat coughs and sore throats and the leaves are used to treat colic, diarrhea and skin diseases. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Topiary, Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
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| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1901 |
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| Species ID | 3194 |
| 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. |