Name
Family Name | |
Genus Epithet | |
Species Epithet | |
Name Status (botanical) | |
Common Names | |
Comments |
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. |
Fruits | 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
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Landscape Uses | Coastal, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
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) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Red |
Image Repository
Images |
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. |