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Elaeocarpus stipularis Blume var. stipularis
| Family Name: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Common Name: | Medang Api, Benzoin Oil-Fruit, Medang Merebok, Samat, Ton Lot, Belensi, Kungkurad, Pensi Antu, Damak-damak, Derumun Pelanduk, Jambu Kelawar, Kempening, Kepinding, Lidah Sapi, Medang Kelawar, Medang Miang, Mengkerai Hutan, Paruh, Paruh Enggang, Pinang Kelawar, Pinang Pergam, Pulai Pipit, Setui Tupai |
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 |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and Java |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 18 m tall, with drooping twigs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are elliptic to egg-shaped, densely covered with short hair below, and 7.6–17 by 2.5–8.9 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowers develop on flowering shoots (inflorescences) of 7.6–17 cm long in the leaf axils. Its flowers are white and 7.6–10 mm wide. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are round or oblong, green, and 2–2.5 cm wide. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland and montane forests. It is known locally along Dalvey road, Napier road, and in Central Catchment Nature Reserve. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek elaia, olive; Greek karpos, fruit, referring to its round fruits; Latin stipularis, with stipules (a leaf-like appendage found at the base of a leaf) |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Its leaves have medicinal properties. Timber & Products: It can be harvested for timber and at times used for building houses. Others: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It may be suitable for parks and roadsides. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small 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 |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1581 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2874 |
| 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. |
