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Xylocarpus moluccensis

Family Name:	Meliaceae
Synonyms:	Carapa borneensis, Carapa mekongensis, Carapa moluccensis, Carapa obovata, Xylocarpus australiasicus, Xylocarpus gangeticus, Xylocarpus mekongensis, Xylocarpus parvifolius
Common Name:	Nyireh batu

Full Sun

Lots of Water

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition

Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Tropical Asia, India, Southeast Asia, including Singapore, northern Australia and Papua New Guinea
Native Habitat	Shoreline (Mangrove Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Medium to large-sized tree, measuring up to 20 - 30 m tall, usually has a sparse canopy
Trunk	Trunk diameter measuring up to 70 - 200 cm, deeply fissured surface.
Roots	Has pointed, conical-shaped pneumatophores at the base of the trunk.

Foliage	Leaves spirally arranged, usually 2 - 3 leaflets, each leaflet measuring 4 - 12 by 2 - 6.5 cm. Leaflets are paired, oval to heart or egg-shaped, leathery and with a broadly rounded to sharply tapered base. Leaflet stalk measure 1 - 3 mm long.
Flowers	Occur in clusters located in the axils, flower clusters are 6 - 18.5 cm long and with a 2 - 10 mm long stalk. Calyx is flat, deeply 4-lobed, lobes measuring 1 - 1.7 mm long; calyx lobes are rounded, white and about 1.5 mm long. Flower consist of 4 petals, yellowish and oblong to egg-shaped, measuring 2 - 3 by 3.5 - 4 mm long; 8 stamens and a 2 - 2.5 mm long style.
Fruit	Broadly ellipsoid greenish-brown fruit, measuring 8 - 11 cm in diameter, usually has 5 - 10 brown seeds measuring 4 - 6.5 cm long.
Habitat	Occurs in tidal forests, banks of tidal creeks, along open shores and along coastal fish ponds.
Etymology	Xylocarpus in Latin means "woody fruit", moluccensis refers to the Moluccas region where this species is commonly found.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Medicinal: Seeds are used as medicine for stomachaches and bark tannin is used as medicine to treat intestinal problems. Timber & Products: Wood is used to construct houses, boats, small tools and also as firewood. Bark tannin is used to treat fishing nets.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	Coastal, Riverine

SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Waterlogged Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray
Pest(s)	Vertebrates (Herbivores)
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Deciduous
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Foliar Type	Compound

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oval)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire

Non - Foliar and Storage

Mature Bark Texture	Fissured

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location

Axillary

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Green
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Mature Seed Colour(s)	Brown

Seed Quantity Per Fruit

Moderate (6-10)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	1917
Species ID	3209
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: 19 December 2022.