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Castanopsis schefferiana Hance

Family Name:	Fagaceae
Synonyms:	Castanopsis andersonii Gamble
Common Name:	Berangan

Castanopsis schefferiana is a medium sized tree native to Singapore that grows to 24 m tall. It has thick, leathery foliage, dark green above, pale coloured below. Flowers are unisexual, greenish, 3-4 sepals borne in clusters of 12 -15 each at the tips of the branches. It produces tight clusters of pear-shaped to globular cupules, covered in thick, dense, curved spines. Upon maturity, it splits to reveal 2 - 3 chestnut-brown fruit.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
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Species Summary

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	30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Malesia; Sumatra, Riouw and Lingga Archipelago, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a medium to large-sized tree up to about 30 m tall, with buttress roots sometimes present, and smooth grey bark.
Foliage	Leaves are thick, leathery, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate-oblong, widest about the middle, measuring 9 - 19 cm long and 2.5 - 7 cm wide. The leaves are glossy, dark green above, pale below, the mid rib is strongly prominent below, slightly raised above. The terminal buds are covered with short fine hairs on the outside.
Flowers	Flowers borne on a spike inflorescence, usually unisexual, or androgynous with its female flowers borned on the lower parts or mixed among the stalk. The flowers are minute, cup-like measuring 0.8 - 1 mm long and 0.5 - 0.7 mm wide, held on a 1 mm bract. Male flowers tend to emit a strong musty smell.

Fruit	A tight cluster of dry, pear-shaped to globular cupule, a woody structure enclosing the fruit (nut) completely. The spines are thick, curved, dense, measuring 4 - 15 mm long. Each cupule splits into 4, revealing 2 -3 chestnut-brown fruit.
Habitat	Occurs in lowland evergreen forest, scrub vegetation, mixed deciduous forest up to altitude of 1000 m.
Cultivation	Flowers irregularly in the wild, tend to takes place during the rainy season. The tree produces fruits profusely ripening within 6 months however seedling development is scarce as they are quickly devoured by animals due to the high starch and or/oil content. Fallen fruits are quickly attacked by fungi. <1, 2, 3 & 4>
Etymology	Latin Castanopsis, resembling chestnut, referring to the relationship between this genus and Castanea (chestnuts); schefferiana, presumably commerating someone named Scheffer.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate to Slow

Rootzone Tolerance	Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Oblong, Ovate)
Foliar Venation	Recticulate
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Acute
Foliar Base	Attenuate, Rounded / Obtuse, Acute

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Cauliflorous, Terminal
Inflorescence Type	Spike
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Mature Seed Colour(s)	Brown
Seed Quantity Per Fruit	Few (1-5)

References

References	<1> Cockburn, P.F. (1972). Castanopsis. In: Whitmore, T.C. (eds). Tree Flora of Malaya, Vol. 1, pp. 207. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia. <2> Phengklai, C. (2008). Flora of Thailand, vol. 9(3), pp. 233-237. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. <3> Phengklai, C. (2006). A synoptic account of the Fagaceae of Thailand, Thailand Forest Bulletin (Botany) 34: 53-175. <4> Soepadmo, E. (1972). Castanopsis. In: Soepadmo, E. & van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (eds). Fagaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, Seed Plants, vol. 7, pt. 1, pp. 265–403. Leiden: Rijksherbarium.

References

<1> Cockburn, P.F. (1972). Castanopsis. In: Whitmore, T.C. (eds). Tree Flora of Malaya, Vol. 1, pp. 207. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia.

<2> Phengklai, C. (2008). Flora of Thailand, vol. 9(3), pp. 233-237. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

<3> Phengklai, C. (2006). A synoptic account of the Fagaceae of Thailand, Thailand Forest Bulletin (Botany) 34: 53-175.

<4> Soepadmo, E. (1972). Castanopsis. In: Soepadmo, E. & van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (eds). Fagaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, Seed Plants, vol. 7, pt. 1, pp. 265–403. Leiden: Rijksherbarium.

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Master ID	31057
Species ID	5444
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: 05 October 2023.