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Castanopsis megacarpa Gamble
| Family Name: | Fagaceae |
| Common Name: | Greater Malayan Chestnut, Berangan Betul, Berangan Makan, Berangan Padi, Parang Berangan |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 36 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to Borneo |
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| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to about 36 m tall. |
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| Trunk | It has fissured bark and may have buttress roots. |
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have thickly leathery leaf blades that are oval, about 10–25 by 3–10 cm, hairless and glossy above, and densely covered with hair below. |
| Flowers | Its male flowering shoots are 10–20 cm long, whereas the female flowering shoots are 10–15 cm long. Its male flowers grow in clusters of 3, while the female flowers are solitary. |
| Fruit | A cupule encloses the fruit (nut) completely. Its ovoid-globose cupules are 8–10 by 6–7 cm and have branched spines.Its egg-shaped fruits are solitary, and 6–8 by 3–5 cm. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests up to about 600 m altitude. It occurs locally in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. |
| Associated Fauna | It has insect-pollinated flowers. |
| Cultivation | It may be suitable for parks. It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin Castanopsis, resembling chestnut, referring to the relationship between this genus and Castanea (chestnuts); Latin megacarpa, large-fruited, referring to its large fruits |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The nuts are edible, but may induce flatulence. Timber & Products: Its bark contains tannin. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
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| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29485 |
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| Species ID | 3794 |
| 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. |
