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Litsea garciae

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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

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

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
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

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

Images

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.
Species record last updated on: 28 August 2024.
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