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Phyllanthus pectinatus Hook.f.
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Emblica pectinata (Hook.f.) Ridl., Diasperus pectinatus (Hook.f.) Kuntze |
| Common Name: | Malacca Tree, Melaka, Asam Melaka, Laka Laka, Laka |
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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 | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
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 |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| 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 and 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 |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 1769 |
| Species ID | 3062 |
| 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. |
