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Alstonia pneumatophora Backer ex den Berger
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Common Name: | Marsh Pulai, Pulai Basong |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Tiered |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Sulawesi) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large tree 25-55m tall, with steep buttresses to 8m high and well developed pnuematophore roots (knee shaped roots) |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Bark smooth or sparsely scaly, grey to yelowish grey |
| Foliage | Leaves spatulate (spoon shape) or sometimes obovate, 4.3-13 cm x 1.5-4.2 cm, leaf tip rouded, sometimes retuse, arranged in whorls of 4-6 (sometimes in whorls of 3), subcoriaceous (somewhat papery), glabrous on both sides; upper surface of leaves greyish-green, undersurface brownish to drak reddish brown. Leaves with very short/ without stalks, and without a distinct intrapetiolar stipule at base of leaf stalk. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence compound, 3-10cm long, forming 2 bunches of densely clustered flowers. Corolla white, lobes spreading in open flower. |
| Fruit | Follicles are pubescent, 10-20cm in length, with numerous seeds |
| Habitat | This species occupies swampy areas and can be found on periodically inundated areas along streams, where it grows on sandy or heavy loam. |
| Similar | The leaf shape is similar to Alstonia spatulata, from which it can be easily distinguished from the species by the presence of pneumatophore roots (after which the species takes its name) |
| Etymology | The species epithet 'Pneumatophora' refers to the pneumatophore (knee like) roots that this species produces |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious: Heritage Trees : There is currently one individual of Alstonia pneumatophora listed as a Heritage Tree in Singapore. It can be found at Singapore Botanic Gardens. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Trunk, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Riverine, Marsh / Bog |
| Thematic Landscaping | Marsh Garden, Bird & Wildlife Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Large Buttress Roots |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32561 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6973 |
| 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. |
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