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Tristaniopsis whiteana (Griff.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.

Family Name:	Myrtaceae
Synonyms:	Tristania whiteana Griff., Tristania sumatrana Miq.
Common Name:	River Tristania, Pelawan, Selunchor, Cancal, Cangal, Kayu Malu

Tristaniopsis whiteana, also known as River Tristania, can reach 24 m tall. Native and endangered in Singapore, the species has distinctive peeling bark that transitions through a range of colours, from whitish grey to coppery brown, resulting in a unique mottled appearance.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Suitable for Roadsides

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

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
Maximum Height	24 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo.
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a tree, up to 24 m tall.
Trunk	Its bark is flakey, orange, grey and white in colour.
Foliage	Its alternate, stalked leathery leaves are obovate, 7-20 cm by 2-5.5 cm.

Flowers	Its tiny flowers are about 5 mm wide, with white petals and reddish sepals. Flowers are borne on a branched flowering shoot measuring 5-7.5 cm wide.
Fruit	Its fruits are small, ellipsoid, 2.5-4 mm wide.
Habitat	It grows along rivers from freshwater tidal reaches to the foothills.
Associated Fauna	Its insects are insect-pollinated.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology	Latin Tristaniopsis, like Tristania, which commemorates Marquess de Tristan (1776–1861), a French botanist. Latin whiteana, commemorating Reverend White (c. 1841), a Christian chaplain in Singapore.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Timber & Products: The timber is good for making straight beams and posts.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is a coastal plant, with a neat crown, and smooth peeling bark that is orange-grey-brown in colour. It is able to grow on very steep slopes. It is suitable for gardens, parks and streetscapes.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Trunk
Landscape Uses	Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Riverine

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

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)	Glossy / Shiny, Leathery

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Orange
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Lanceolate, Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Cuneate
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
Inflorescence Type	Cyme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown, Green
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

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Master ID	1903
Species ID	3196
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.