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Canthiumera robusta K.M.Wong & X.Y.Ng
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Canthium glabrum auct. non Blume |
| Common Name: | Green Coffee |
Canthiumera robusta or Green Coffee is a tree that grows to 25 m tall. It has egg-shaped leaves and yellowish-green, star-like flowers borne in clusters. The fruit is a green, bluish to purplish coloured drupe, each contains pyrenes which are single-seeded, keel-like resembling the shape of a chicken breast bone.
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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 |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 25 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Anambas Islands, Borneo and Singapore. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Mountain, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an evergreen tree up to 25 m tall, with a main stem, and lateral-growing branches. A pale pink or reddish, watery gum is exuded when bruised. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are leathery, egg-shaped to elliptic, 7–18 cm long by 3–9 cm wide, tapering broadly to the tips, and with rounded bases. |
| Flowers | Flowers are star-like, yellowish-green coloured, about 1 cm wide, and borne in clusters from the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Its 4-ridged fruits are green, bluish to purplish when ripe, and up to 3.2 by 2.5 cm. They are found singly or a few in a cluster. Each contains pyrenes (pit) resembling the shape of a chicken breast bone, flattened on one side, keeled on the other, up to 2.5 cm long. |
| Habitat | Occurs in lowland forest, freshwater swamp forest and coastal areas. |
| Associated Fauna | Its seeds are dispersed by birds. |
| Taxonomy | Previous name of Canthium glabrum auct. non Blume misused in Singapore. Current name of Canthiumera robusta K.M.Wong & X.Y.Ng is applicable to wild plants in Singapore but not necessarily to wild plants elsewhere or to cultivated plants originating elsewhere. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin Canthiumera is composed of Canthium, the genus which it was confused with and the Latin umerus, which means shoulder, referring to the prominent lateral extensions in the pyrene. Latin robusta, is robust which refers to the more robust fruit and pyrene size compared to other Canthiumera species. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The plant has horticultural potential as a park tree. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Modification | Stipule |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Cuspidate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Green |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Bluish Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
References
| References | Wong, K.M., Turner, I.M. Turner, Wang, R.J., Harwood, R., Seah, W.W., Ng, X.Y., Lim, R.C.J., Lua, H.K. & Mahyuni, R. (2019). Rubiaceae. Flora of Singapore, vol. 13, pp. 1-358. Singapore: Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Parks Board. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30807 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5162 |
| 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. |