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Bhesa robusta (Roxb.) Ding Hou
| Family Name: | Centroplacaceae |
| Synonyms: | Celastrus robustus Roxb., Kurrimia pulcherrima Wall. ex Laws, Kurrimia robusta (Roxb.) Kurz, Kurrimia calophylla Wall., Nothocnestis sumatrana Miq. |
| Common Name: | Red-Flowered Malayan Spindle Tree, Biku-biku, Buku-buku, Medang Buaya, Membatu Merah, Pauh-pauh, Sepauh, 膝柄木 |
Bhesa robusta, also known as Red-flowered Malayan Spindle Tree, can grow to 40 m tall. During fruiting season, the tree is laden with olive-yellow egg-shaped fruits which are fancied by birds and small mammals.
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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 | Rounded, Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
| Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter | 62 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 40 m tall, with brown bark, and buttresses up to 4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | It has huge buttresses, up to 4 m tall. |
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have leaf blades that are oval or oblong, 6–16 by 2.5–8.5 cm, and slightly swollen at the apex. |
| Flowers | Its almost sessile flowers are arranged in a cluster of about 15 cm long, with red petals. |
| Fruit | Its olive-yellow fruits are unlobed, egg-shaped, and with 2 vertical grooves and a pointed tip. They are also 3–3.5 by 1–1.3 cm and usually contain one seed. Its oblong brown seeds are covered completely, or sometimes only the lower part, with pulp. Its seeds are about 1–2 cm long. |
| Habitat | It grows in primary lowland forests, up to 1,075 m altitude, on clay-rich soil. It is also sometimes found in periodically inundated forests. It occurs locally along Hendon Road. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. The fruits are eaten by frugivorous birds and mammals. |
| Etymology | Pali Bhesa, referring to the resin of false myrrh; Latin robusta, stout, or strong in growth, the reference to which is unknown. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: The timber is used for the construction of houses, beams and cabinets. Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree: There is currently 2 individual of Bhesa robusta listed as a Heritage Tree in Singapore. To find out more about this tree, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It may be suitable for parks. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Other Mammal)) |
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 |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Size | 15 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Description | Its seeds are about 1–2 cm long. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3282 |
| 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. |
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