Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Maximum Height | 25 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | North-eastern India through Indo-china, southern China, Ryukyu islands, Bonin islands to Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 25 m tall with reddish brown to dark grey bark. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves is lanceolate to elliptic (8 – 17.5 cm long and 4 – 7.5 cm wide) and leathery with 8 – 12 pairs of secondary veins. Leaf tip is acute or acuminate and leaf base is attenuate to rounded. |
| Flowers | Occurring in clusters of 1 - 3, flower is white (2 – 4 cm wide) and fragrant with a 2.5 – 4 cm long flower stalk. Flower has many stamens (0.8 – 1 cm long) which are attached to the petals at the base. Ovary is round, yellowish, hairy and superior. |
| Fruit | Fruit is brown when ripe (1.5 – 2 cm diameter) and splits open into 5 parts where each locule contains 2 winged seeds. |
| Habitat | It is found in grassland, scrubs, swamp forest and rainforest, up 2500m altitude. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seeds. Dried fruit and seeds can be stored up to 3 months. It usually prefers well drained but has been observed to grow well in waterlogging soil or along rivers. |
| Etymology | It is named after Nathaniel Wallich (1786-1854), a Danish botanist. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: In India, it is used as a shade tree in coffee plantations. Wood is used for construction, such as door frame, window frame, railway sleepers and firewood. The bark contains fine fibres which may cause skin irritations. In Nepal, the leaves are used as fodder. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30372 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4681 |
| 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. |