Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A medium sized shrub, can grow up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are green and patterned with light yellow to white. These leaves are arranged in clusters of 3 - 5, obovate in shape, measuring 1.5 - 4 cm long and 0.8 - 2.5 cm wide, petiole measuring about 1 - 5 mm long, and the leaf margin is toothed towards the apex. |
| Flowers | Flowers are small, white, measuring 8 - 10 mm wide, sepals 4 -5 and lanceolate in shape, measuring 3 -4 mm long, calyx has 4 -5 lobes and measuring 3 - 4 mm long. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a drupe, globose in shape, measuring 4 - 5 mm wide, ripens from brownish orange to red. |
| Etymology | The genus Ehretia is named after George Dionysius Ehret, a botanical artist. The species epithet retusa refers to the leaf-apex shape of the plant, which is shallowly indented. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White, Yellow / Golden, Patterned |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Rough, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green, White, Yellow / Golden, Patterned |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Rough, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33011 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7425 |
| 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. |