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Macaranga griffithiana Müll.Arg.

Family Name:	Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms:	Macaranga motleyana (Müll.Arg.) Whitmore subsp. griffithiana
Common Name:	Mahang Bulan, Mahang Tutup

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Suitable for Roadsides

Ornamental Leaves

Tree

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Native Distribution	Laos, South Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU))

Growth Form	It is a tree that can grow up to 20 m tall, and with hollow twigs.
Foliage	Its spirally arranged leaves have pink stalks attached near to the centre of the underside of the leaf blades. Its leaf blades are leathery, egg-shaped, 10–28 by 8–23 cm, shallowly 3- lobed, and whitish with pink veins beneath.
Flowers	Its unisexual flowers develop on flowering shoots (inflorescences). Its male inflorescences are 10–25 by 10–18 cm, while female inflorescences are 4–16 by 3–8 cm.

Fruit	Its fruits are bluish capsules that are somewhat round, 7–9 by 6–12 mm, covered with yellowish powder, and each consist of 4–5 compartments. Its seeds are black, somewhat triangular-egg-shaped, 3.5–4 mm across, and each encased in a red covering (aril).
Habitat	It grows in lowland swampy areas, and is common in swampy secondary forests. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin, Western Catchment, and along Old Upper Thomson Road.
Associated Fauna	Ants can inhabit in its hollow twigs.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology	Macaranga may be derived from a local name in Madagascar, or from Sanskrit words that mean body of monkey; Latin griffithiana, commemorates William Griffith (1810–1845), a British botanist and medical doctor
Ethnobotanical Uses	Cultural / Religious: In Pahang, Malaysia, its leaves have been recorded to be used in occult practices for washing the face of a delirious man. Others: It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree.

Landscaping	This species is cultivated as an ornamental tree for its attractive foliage, and may be tolerant of park or roadside conditions. Based on its natural habitats, it appears to be tolerant of wet to moderately wet soil conditions.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses	General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog

Thematic Landscaping

Naturalistic Garden

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Biotic (Fauna)

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Lots of Water, Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils

Propagation Method

Seed

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Green
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Fruit Type

Images

Master ID	31303
Species ID	5700
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.