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Syzygium filiforme (Wall. ex Duthie) Chantaran. & J.Parn.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Synonyms: | Eugenia clavimyrtus Koord. & Valeton var. minor, Eugenia filiformis Wall. ex Duthie, Syzygium capillare Wall. |
| Common Name: | Thread Eugenia, Kelat Merah, Kelat Manik, Kelat Jambu Air, Kelat Api, Kelat Manek, Gising, Kelat Belian, Kelat Lapis, Kelat Minyak |
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 |
| Maximum Height | 42 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southwest Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree that can grow up to 42 m tall, attain 210 cm in trunk girth size, with dense crown, drooping branches and slender twigs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have leaf blades that are leathery, dark green, lance-shaped to egg-shaped or oval, 5–11 cm by 1.8–5 cm. Each leaf blade has 1–2 veins running parallel to the blade margin, up to 7–16 pairs of side veins, and pointed blade tip. |
| Flowers | It produces bisexual flowers with thread-like stalks. The flowers are white, 1.3–2.5 cm by 1.3–1.9 cm, and found solitary or in up to 10 cm long, 2–5 flowered clusters located at the axils of its leaves or ends of its twigs. |
| Fruit | Its fleshy fruits are round to flattened-round, up to 1.5 cm across, and whitish-green when ripe. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests. It occurs locally in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and Pulau Tekong. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are probably pollinated by bats. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek syzygos, joined, referring to the paired leaves of this species; Latin filiforme thread-like, referring to its flower stalks |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It is harvested for timber and used for house posts. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting along streetscapes, in parks and gardens for its dense crown, flowers and fruits. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green, Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29726 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4035 |
| 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. |
