Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Maximum Height | 33 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore, and north 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 to 33 m tall, with buttress roots occasionally present in mature trees. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oval to drop-shaped, 6.6–24 by 3.4–8.5 cm, and with almost toothed to toothed edges. There are 2 raised glands on each side of the leaf blade base adjoining the leaf stalk. |
| Flowers | The plant is dioecious, producing unisexual flowers on different individuals. Its male flowers are 2–2.5 mm wide, while the female flowers are 3.3–4.5 mm wide. Both the apetalous flowers are fragrant, yellow, and arranged in branched clusters on the flowering shoots which develop from the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Its 1-seeded fruits are ellipsoid, 1.7–3.3 by 1.1–2.1 cm, and grey owing to the presence of dense, fine hair. Its seeds are 1.5–2.6 by 0.9–1.3 cm and embedded in the red, fleshy, fruit pulp. |
| Habitat | It grows mainly in peat swamp and freshwater swamp forests. It is also found in lowland, dryland primary and secondary forests up to 250 m altitude. It occurs locally in the vicinity of Seletar Reservoir, Nee Soon Swamp Forest, and Bukit Kallang Forest |
| Associated Fauna | Its fruits and seeds may be eaten and dispersed by birds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin neoscortechinia, the new Scortechinia, commemorating Reverend Benedetto Scortechini (1845–1886); Latin sumatrensis, of Sumatra, referring to the species’ first original collection in Sumatra, Indonesia |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
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Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
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References
| References | Ang, W. F., A. F. S. L. Lok, K. Y. Chong & H. T. W. Tan. 2010. Status and Distribution in Singapore of Neoscortechinia sumatrensis S.Moore (Euphorbiaceae). Nature in Singapore. 3. 333–336 van Welzen, P. C.. 1994. Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Geography of Neoscortechinia Hook.f. ex Pax (Euphorbiaceae). Blumea. 39. 301–318 Whitmore, T. C.. 1973. Euphorbiaceae. Tree Flora of Malaya. 2: 34–136 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32645 |
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| Species ID | 7057 |
| 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. |