Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 20 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 20 m tall. Its twigs and leaf stalks are densely covered with stiff, coarse hairs |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have rather leathery leaf blades that are oval to drop-shaped, and 6–23 by 2.5–10 cm. Its leaf parts also exude white latex when damaged |
| Flowers | The species is monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same plant. Its flowering clusters (heads) are found singly or in pairs at leaf axils. Its male flower heads are yellow, obovoid, and up to 3 by 2 cm |
| Fruit | Its fruiting cluster (infructescence) is rather rounded, up to 5.5 cm wide, and covered with the short, cylindrical tips of the non-reproductive, outer floral parts (perianths). The cluster also ripens from greenish-yellow to dull-orange, and bears ellipsoid fruits that are up to 1.3 cm long each. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland evergreen forests up 350 m altitude. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest |
| Associated Fauna | Its fruits are eaten by tree-living mammals such as civet cats, monkeys, and squirrels. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Brown, Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31036 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5423 |
| 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. |
