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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 |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indochina, the Malay Peninsula |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree, able to grow up to about 2 - 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves elliptic to oblong in shape, dark green on the top surface and light green underneath, measuring about 10 - 18 cm long and 4 - 6.5 cm wide, margins serrate, stipules about 7 - 10 mm long. |
| Flowers | Small yellow flowers borne on a cymose inflorescence, about 1.5 cm long, calyx 5 - 7 lobed and lobes are lanceolate in shape, stamens about 3 - 4 mm long, style about 4.5 mm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is red and ellipsoid in shape, contains 1 brown, oblong seed. |
| Habitat | Usually found in lowland forests. |
| Etymology | Genus Carallia is from the Telugu word "Karalli", which means "forests" and "shining" and this refers to the leaves. Species suffruticosa means means somewhat shrubby at the base and soft-wooded. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Leaves are applied as a poultice to boils and to reduce fever. A decoction of the leaves is taken to expel worms from the intestines. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1490 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2783 |
| 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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