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Tabernaemontana corymbosa Roxb. ex Wall.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ervatamia corymbosa, Pagiantha peninsularis, Ervatamia continentalis, Ervatamia chinensis |
| Common Name: | Great Rosebay, Jelutong Badak |
Great Rosebay (Tabernaemontana corymbosa) is a flowering shrub to small tree that can grow up to 12 m tall. This evergreen plant produces fragrant white pinwheel flowers and glossy dark green leaves. It flowers best under full sun with moderate watering, on well-drained, fertile loamy soil.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 12 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Northern India to Southeastern China, Malaya to Lesser Sunda Islands. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown. It can grow up to 12 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The papery-like leaves are oppositely arranged along the stem, glabrous (hairless) leaves have short petioles (0.3 - 2 cm). The leaf blades are elliptic to obovate, measuring 7-37 cm long and 2-14 cm wide, with cuneate base and acuminate to caudate tip. |
| Stems | The stem grows to 20 cm in diameter, but usually it is much less. It has dark brown, shallowly fissured bark. The twigs are lenticellate and smooth, rarely pubescent. |
| Flowers | Fragrant, white flowers are arranged in a clusters (up to 25 flowers) known as cyme with yellow throat and are shaped like pinwheels (1.8 - 3.1 cm long, 2 cm wide). The flowers have 5 bean-shaped lobes with thin, hook-like tips. Floral buds are rounded. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as follicles. Ellipsoid follicles may be sharply pointed or rounded on the ends (2 - 4.5 cm long, 0.6 - 3 cm wide). |
| Habitat | In Singapore, it is found growing in primary and secondary forests, and freshwater swamp forests. |
| Cultivation | This species flowers best in full sun, but it also tolerates light shade. It should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil that is kept moist. Apply mulch near the base of the plant to conserve soil moisture. The branch tips should be pruned to encourage bushy growth. |
| Etymology | Genus Tabernaemontana is named after Jakob Theodor von Bergzaben (1520 - 1590) (Latinised surname Tabernaemontanus meaning "tavern in the mountain"), who was a German herbalist. Species epithet corymbosa means with flowers arranged in corymbs, with reference to the flower arrangement in a cluster. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In Peninsular Malaysia, the bark extracts from this plant are prepared as medicinal drink for treating syphilis, while the vapour from heated plant juice are inhaled for treating nasal ulceration. <1>
It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This free-flowering species would make an attractive, formal hedge. Consider placing it next to pathways as a border. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border, General, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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References
| References | <1> Abubakar,I.B. & Loh, H. (2016). A review on ethnobotany, pharmacology and phytochemistry of Tabernaemontana corymbosa. Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Journal o Pharmacy and Pharmacology. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1192 |
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| Species ID | 2485 |
| 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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