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Dialium indum L. var. indum
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Dialium patens Baker |
| Common Name: | Keranji, Velvet Tamarind |
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 |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and Java |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 40 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked, imparipinnate leaves are up to 15.2 cm long. Each has 7–9 pairs of leaflets (pinnae) with leathery blades that are egg-shaped-oblong or egg-shaped-lance-shaped to elliptic, hairless above, sparsely hairy below, and 6–10 by 3–5 cm. |
| Flowers | Its white flowers grow on flowering shoots that are up to 10 cm long. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are round to egg-shaped, sometimes slightly compressed, blue-black, have a brittle, hairy fruit wall, and 1.5–2 by 1–1.5 cm. Its seeds are squarish to kidney-shaped, shiny, and 7–12 by 5 mm. |
| Habitat | It grows in well-drained forests, and sometimes swampy areas up to 1150 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | The genus Dialium is possibly from the Greek plant name dialion. The specific epithet indum may be a Latin reference to the Indus River. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Its fruits contain a velvety-textured pulp that tastes similar to tamarind (Tamarindus indica). Timber & Products: Its wood is used as timber. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Odd-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Pod |
References
| References | <1> Lindsay, S. et al. (2022). Flora of Singapore: Checklist and bibliography. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 74(Suppl. 1): 3–860. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29609 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3918 |
| 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. |
