Back
Phyllanthus pectinatus Hook.f.
| Phyllanthaceae |
| Antidesma pectinatus |
| Malacca Tree, Melaka, Asam Melaka, Laka Laka, Laka |
Name
| Family Name |
|
| Genus Epithet |
|
| Species Epithet |
|
| Name Authority |
|
| Name Status (botanical) |
|
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Names |
|
| Comments |
|
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division |
Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form |
Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) |
Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition |
Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution |
Peninsular Malaysia |
| Native Habitat |
Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone |
Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status 1 |
Native to Sundaland |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form |
It is a large deciduous tree with scruffily tomentose branchlets. |
| Foliage |
Its pinnate leaves have 8 mm long linear-oblong shaped leaflets densely arranged on both sides of the rachis. |
| Flowers |
Its small flowers are densely arranged on an inflorescence. |
| Fruits |
Its fleshy, top-shaped fruits are 1-2 cm long and 0.8-1 cm wide. |
| Cultivation |
It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology |
Greek phyllon, a leaf, Greek anthus, flower, referring to the flowers in the axils of the leaves of the phyllomorphic branch. Latin pectinatus, comb-like, referring to the densely arranged linear-oblong leaflets which resemble a comb. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses |
Edible Plant Parts (Edible Fruits)
Food (Fruit & Vegetable) |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping |
It is suitable for planting in parks and gardens for its edible fruits. |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance |
Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Landscape Uses |
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 |
| Propagation Method |
Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention |
Deciduous |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) |
Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) |
Leathery |
| Foliar Type |
Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem |
Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem |
Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) |
Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation |
Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin |
Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio |
2.5 (Tree - Open Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 |
Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping |
Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location |
Terminal |
Fruit, Seed & Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms |
Green - Light Green |
| Fruit Classification |
Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 |
Fleshy Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 |
Non-Accessory Fruit |
Others
| Master ID |
1769 |
| Species ID |
3062 |
Species record last updated on: 14 October 2019.
