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Memecylon lilacinum Zoll. & Moritz

Family Name:	Melastomataceae
Synonyms:	Memecylon pauciflorum auct. non Blume, Memecylon myrsinoides var. lilacinum (Zoll. & Mor.) King, Memecylon myrsinoides Blume, Memecylon laevigatum Blume, Memecylon pseudonigrescens Blume, Memecylon confine Blume, Memecylon cinereum King
Common Name:	Mangas

Memecylon lilacinum, also known as Mangas, is a tree that is critically endangered in Singapore. The flower ranges from white, lilac to blue coloured and has distinctly pointed petals as well as white glandless anthers.

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Shrub

Tree

Name

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Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
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Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Irregular
Maximum Height	25 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Java and Borneo.
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 10 – 20 m tall, rarely 25 m. The trunk is usually up to 10 – 25 cm wide. The young twigs have 2 grooves, often somewhat 4-angled and gradually becoming cylindrical when mature.
Foliage	The leaves are green and elliptic to lanceolate shaped, which is (3-) 6 – 7 (-12) cm long and (1.5-) 2.5 – 3.5 (-5) cm wide. The midrib is sunken on the upper side of the leaves and prominent on the underside of the leaves. The leaf venation is obscure on both sides of the leaves. The leaf base is decurrent while the leaf tip is pointed (acuminate), which extends for 0.5 – 1 cm long. The petiole is short, about 3 – 8 mm long.
Flowers	The flowers occur in compact clusters on the axils of the branches. Each cluster is about 1 cm long and comprises of 10 – 20 flowers. The calyx is funnel shaped, pale pink or whitish with 4 pointed teeth. The flower is small with distinctly pointed petals (acuminate) which can be white, lilac or blue coloured. The filament is lilac while the anthers are whitish and without a gland. The style is lilac and falls off early (caducous).

Fruit	The fruit is globose (0.7 – 1.1 cm diameter) and slightly flattened at both poles. The calyx remnant slightly raised or becoming worn and forming a pale flat ring (0.15 – 0.2 cm wide). The fruit turns from green to yellow, pale orange and finally becomes black when ripe.
Habitat	It is found in rainforest, up to 1200, altitude, usually occurring along streams or ridges. It is occasionally found on limestone hills or by the sea.
Similar	The presence of an interpetiolar line is a key feature to distinguish Memecylon from Syzygium.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are eaten by birds. There is one record of Memecylon lilacinum fruits being eaten by Asian Palm Civet.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology	The genus Memecylon is derived from its resemblance to mimaikylon, in Greek, refers to the fruit of the strawberry tree Arbutus. The species epithet lilacinus, in Latin, means lilac coloured, which refers to the colour of the petals.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Timber & Products: In general, the wood of Memecylon is hard, durable and so dense that it sinks in water. The wood is used to make house posts, tool handles, mortar pestles, anchors and high-quality charcoal.

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

Well-Drained Soils

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Black

References

References	Hughes, M. (2013). Memecylaceae. In: Kiew, R., Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G., Soepadmo, E. (ed.) Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, ser. 2, vol. 4, pp. 269–324. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Maxwell, J. F. (1980). Revision of Memecylon L. (Melastomataceae) from the Malay Peninsula. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 33. Pp. 31–150

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Master ID	31885
Species ID	6286
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.