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Baccaurea pyriformis

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Baccaurea pyriformis Gage

Family Name: Phyllanthaceae
Common Name: Fig Tampoi, Tampoi Burung, Tampoi Tangau

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
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 Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Inland Cliff)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree up to 30 m tall. This species resembles the blue rambai (Baccaurea bracteata) but the twigs and stalks are finely velvety and not smooth.
Foliage Its alternate, long-stalked leaves have papery to leathery leaf blades that are oval-egg-shaped, purple when young, and up to 20 by 8 cm. Its leaf stalks are finely velvety. 
Flowers Its male flowers are yellowish to pale brown, 1–2 mm wide, and found in clusters up to 7.5 cm long. Its female flowers are dirty brown, 2.5–3.5 mm wide, and found in clusters up to 3 cm long.
Fruit Its fruits are yellowish- to orange-brown, round, fig- or pear-shaped, and up to 38 by 34 mm. The fruits are found in bunches on the branches below the leaves. Each fruit contains 2 or 3 seeds in orange-red pulp. Its oval seeds are laterally flattened and 8–18 by 5–12 mm.
Habitat It grows in lowland forests.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are insect pollinated and the fruits are eaten by small mammals.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Latin Bacca, berry; Latin aurea, golden, referring to the colour of the berries; Latin pyriformis means pear-shaped, referring to the plant’s fruits
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It may be suitable for parks or gardens for its attractive young foliage and edible fruits.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

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

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Papery, Leathery
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Purple
Young Flush Texture(s) Papery, Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) Brown, Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Inflorescence Type Raceme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown, Orange, Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31327
Species ID 5724
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: 18 July 2023.
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