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Koompassia malaccensis Maing. ex Benth.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Koompassia borneensis, Koompassia beccariana Taub. |
| Common Name: | Kempas, Impas, Makupa, Mangris |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 60 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 60 m tall, with thick, plank-like buttresses. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked, pinnate leaves have 5–14 leaflets each. The alternate, stalked leaflets have thinly to rigidly leathery leaf blades that are egg-shaped-oval, oval-oblong or lance-shaped, almost symmetrical, 5–13 by 1.5–5 cm, and usually with rounded bases. |
| Flowers | Its up to 12 cm long, branched flowering shoot develops from the end of leafy twigs, and is densely covered with white flowers. |
| Fruit | Its indehiscent fruit is a pod that is flat, oblong, thin, papery, 9.5–15 by 3–4.5 cm, twisted near the base, and with a broad wing all round. The fruit contains 1 flat seed that is purplish-black and shallowly wrinkled. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests up to 800 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. It is also the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the moth, Pleuroptya balteata. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin koompassia, from the Malay name, kempas; Latin malaccensis, of Malacca, referring to one locality in the natural distribution of this species |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: The timber is used as firewood and charcoal. Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree: There are 3 individuals of Koompassia malaccensis listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Moth Food Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
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 |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Elliptical, Oblong, Oblanceolate) |
| 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 | Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1691 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2984 |
| 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. |
