Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Diospyros lanceifolia

Back

Diospyros lanceifolia Roxb.

Family Name: Ebenaceae
Synonyms: Diospyros clavigera C.B.Clarke var. pachyphylla (C.B.Clarke) Ridl., Diospyros pachyphylla C.B.Clarke
Common Name: Common Malayan Ebony, Kayu Malam

Diospyros lanceifolia or Common Malayan Ebony is a medium-sized tree, native to Singapore. Growing to a height of 20 m, the broad-elliptic to lanceolate leaves have 2 pit-like glands at the base. Flowers are monoecious found along the axils, the male flowers are 4-petalled, borne in dense clusters while the female flowers are 4 -5 petalled, produced singly or in clusters of 3. The fruit is a round to oval shaped berry with a short beak, sits on a shallow, waxy-lobed calyx that curved backwards. It turns from yellowish green to brown upon ripening.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 20 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Malaya, India, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines, Singapore
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a medium sized tree that can grow to 20 m tall.
Foliage Leaves are broad-elliptic to lance-shaped, sometimes egg-shaped to elliptic measuring 4.5 cm - 15 cm long by 2 - 5 cm wide held on a stalk of 0.8-1 cm long. The leaves often have 2 pit-like glands at the base, the mid-rib is sunken above, lateral veins are faint, looping away from the margins.
Flowers Flowers are monoecious where the male and female flowers are produced on separate trees, found along the axils. Male flowers are 4-petalled, held in clusters from 3 to many flowered, they are bell-shaped, hairy outside, smooth inside, cream-coloured with a slight purple tinge. The female flowers are 4 to 5-petalled, borne singly, sometimes in clusters of 3, they are urn-shaped, yellowish, hairy on both sides.
Fruit The fruit is round to oval shaped berry with a short pointed beak or point, turning from yellowish green to brown upon ripening. The round fruit is velvety when young, measures to 1.5- 2.5 cm wide, sits on a shallow 3-5 lobed cup-shaped calyx with waxy-edged lobes that curved backwards.
Habitat Occurs commonly in lowland and hill forests at altitude up to 700 m, sometimes within coastal forests. <1 & 2>
Associated Fauna It is the larval host plant for the Studded Sergeant butterfly (Athyma asura idita).
Cultivation It can propagated by seed.
Etymology Greek dios, divine; Greek pyros, wheat, meaning divine wheat or food; Latin lanceus, lance-shaped; Latin folia, -leaved, referring to the species’ lance-shaped leaf blades

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It can be propagated along streetscapes, parks and gardens.
Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Flowers)
Landscape Uses Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant (Associated with: Athyma asura)
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate to Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong, Ovate)
Foliar Venation Recticulate
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, Cream / Off-White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Urceolate / Urn-shaped, Campaulate / Bell-shaped
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Green, Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Berry

References

References <1>  Gardner, S., Sidisunthorn, P. & Chayamarit, K. (2015). Forest Trees of Southern Thailand. Vol. 1, pp. 503. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

<2> Ng, F.S.P. (1978). Tree Flora of Malaya, vol. 3, pp. 76. Selangor: Forest Department, Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia.

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 29634
Species ID 3943
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: 29 January 2024.
Share