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Richetia gibbosa (Brandis) P.S.Ashton & J.Heck.
| Family Name: | Dipterocarpaceae |
| Synonyms: | Shorea gibbosa Brandis |
| Common Name: | Damar Hitam Gajah, Lempong Kuning, Selangan Batu, Seraya Kuning, Seraya Kuning Gajah |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a large tree, up to 5 m in girth. |
|---|---|
| Roots | It bears large buttresses. |
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have papery leaf blades that are oval or egg-shaped, brown on both surfaces when dry, and 5-13 by 1.7-6 cm. Its midrib is prominent below. |
| Flowers | Its flowering shoots are up to 10 cm long, and bear up to 6 white-red flowers that are about 1.1 cm wide. The stamens have somewhat swollen (gibbous) filaments, which gives it its scientific name. |
| Fruit | Its green-red-brown fruit consists of a nut that is 1.8 by 1.2 cm, with 3 longer wings that are 9 by 2 cm and 2 shorter wings that are 6 by 0.5 cm. |
| Habitat | It grows on clayey soil, alluvial to dry sites, and in forests up to 800 m altitude. It occurs locally in the vicinity of MacRitchie Reservoir and the Changi area. |
| Associated Fauna | It has insect-pollinated flowers. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet gibbosa is Latin for somewhat swollen or enlarged on one side, referring to the swollen filaments of the stamens. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree : There is currently one individual of Shorea gibbosa listed as Heritage Tree in Singapore. It can be found at Changi. To find out more about this tree, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and large gardens. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
References
| References | Ashton, P.S. & Heckenhauer, J. (2022). Tribe Shoreae (Dipterocarpaceae subfamily Dipterocarpoideae) finally dissected. Kew Bull. 77: 885–903. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1926 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3218 |
| 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. |