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Orania sylvicola (Griff.) H.E.Moore

Family Name:	Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms:	Macrocladus sylvicola Griff., Orania macrocladus Mart.
Common Name:	Ibul

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Leaves

Solitary Habit

Palm

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Palm (Solitary Habit)
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	20 m

Native Distribution	Southern Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Growth Form	It is a single-trunked, canopy to emergent palm, up to 20 m tall, with a trunk girth of up to 45 cm. The trunk is grey with rings and knobs. Its medium- to large-sized pinnate leaves spread spirally, rising or drooping from the tip of the trunk.
Foliage	Its spirally arranged, stalked, medium- to large-sized leaves are pinnate, with 60 – 75 leaflets arranged regularly on each side of the rachis, and 3.6 by 1.5 m. The leaflets are narrowly drop-shaped, with jagged tips, green above, greyish below, and 75–100 by 5–8 cm.
Flowers	Its small flowers are borne on a 3–5-branched, spreading inflorescence, 75–90 cm long. The inflorescences are usually borne amongst the leaves. The male flowers are oblong, while the female flowers are roundish.

Fruit	Its greenish yellow to yellow fruits are round and 3.5–4 cm.
Habitat	It grows in wet lowland forests, often in wet areas. It occurs locally in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and in the vicinity of MacRitchie Reservoir.
Cultivation	It is propagated by seed.
Etymology	The genus Orania is named in hounour of F.G.L. Willem van Nassau, the Prince of Orange (Oranje) and the Crown Prince of the Netherlands (1792–1849). The specific epithet sylvicola is derived from the Latin meaning "forest dwelling", referring to the habitat this species thrives in.

Landscaping	This plant is suitable for planting in moist, partially-shaded or open areas for its attractive, pinnate foliage.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens

SGMP Treatment

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Pest(s)	Chewing Insects

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Palm Fronds (Pinnate / Feather)
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	2.5 (Palm - Solitary)

Trunk Type (Palm)	Aboveground, Solitary Habit
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden

Seed Quantity Per Fruit

Few (1-5)

References	Dransfield, J., Uhi, N.W., Asmussen, C.B., Baker, W.J., Harley, M.M. & Lewis, C.E. . 2008. Genera Palmarum. The Evolution and Classification of Palms. . United Kingdom: Kew Publishing. 732

Images

Master ID	1949
Species ID	3241
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.

Species record last updated on: 24 September 2025.