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Diospyros borneensis Hiern
| Family Name: | Ebenaceae |
| Synonyms: | Diospyros fecunda Fletcher, Diospyros tawaensis Merr. |
| Common Name: | Kayu Arang, Kayu Malam |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 24 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippines |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A medium sized tree up to 24 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are oblong to ovate, measuring 10-30 cm long and 4-12 cm wide, arranged alternately. The lateral veins are prominent below and form loops near the leaf margin. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers are both very small, creamy-yellow colored. |
| Fruit | Fruits are globose, about 3.3 cm in diameter, brown colored. |
| Habitat | In mixed dipterocarp forests, found on sandy and clay soils, up to 300 m altitude. |
| Etymology | Diospyros is derived from two Greek words, dios (divine) and pyros (wheat), meaning divine wheat (fruit). Species Epithet borneensis, from Borneo Island, referring to one locality in the natural distribution of this species. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32791 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7204 |
| 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. |
