Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
|---|---|
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indochina, Thailand, southern China, Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large tree, able to grow up to about 30 - 40 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Smooth and greyish bark, has white resinous exudate when injured. |
| Foliage | Green narrowly elliptic to ovate leaves, simple and alternate arrangement, thinly coriaceous, margins entire, measuring about 8 - 16 cm long and 3 - 7.5 cm wide, stipule oblong and obtuse about 8 mm long and 2 mm wide. |
| Flowers | Cream fragrant yellow flowers borne on axillary and terminal panicle inflorescence up to 7 cm long, petals contorted, pedicel and peduncle densely hairy, calyx tomentose and pale brown. |
| Fruit | Fruit is reddish-green globose to conical winged nut about 8 mm wide, has 2 large wings and 3 smaller wings. |
| Habitat | Can be found in evergreen and open forests, dry ridges in coastal forests. |
| Etymology | Genus Vatica is from the Latin word 'vates' which means 'a foreteller or prophet'. Specific epithet odorata means fragrant or sweet-scented and refers to the fragrant flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate to Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31603 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6002 |
| 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. |
