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Litsea garciae Vidal
| Family Name: | Lauraceae |
| Synonyms: | Litsea kawakamii Hayata, Litsea sebifera (Blume) Blume. |
| Common Name: | Engkala, Bagnolo, Wuru Lilin, Malai |
Name
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 |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | the Philippines |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A medium sized tree up to 26 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Trunk measures 40-50 cm in diameter. |
| Foliage | Leaves are simple, arranged alternately. Leaf blades are ovate to lanceolate, measuring about 12-50 cm long and 15-18 cm wide. Young leaves are silvery shiny. |
| Flowers | Flowers are very small, measuring about 15 mm in diameter, yellowish-white in color. |
| Fruit | Fruits are oblate, 2.5-4.5 cm in diameter, with pink skin and creamy white flesh. Fruits are seated on cup-shaped cohering bracts. |
| Habitat | Mixed forests up to 200 m altitude, along rivers and streams |
| Etymology | Litsea is derived from Chinese 'li', means plum, and 'tse', means small. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit pulp has a avocado-like flavor, consumed raw or steamed with rice. Others: The oil extracted from seeds is used to make candles and soap. The wood is used in construction. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| 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 |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30083 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4392 |
| 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. |
