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Horsfieldia superba (Hook.f. & Thoms.) Warb.
| Family Name: | Myristicaceae |
| Synonyms: | Myristica superba Hook.f. & Thomson |
| Common Name: | Pendarah, Cabbage-leafed Nutmeg |
Name
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 |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 30 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 30 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, massively-stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are elliptic to oblong, and 17-60 cm by 9-28 cm. |
| Flowers | It is a dioecious plant, with each individual tree bearing either female or male flowers. Its flower clusters are up to 15 cm long, bearing small yellow flowers. |
| Fruit | Its capsular fruits are elliptic, up to 5.5 cm long, with a fleshy aril covering the seed. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests as well as swamp forests, up to 400 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are eaten by hornbills. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Horsfieldia, named after Dr. Thomas Horsfield (1773–1859), an American botanist who explored in Malesian islands; Latin superba, magnificent, superb. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and streetscapes for its attractive leaves and form. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Branch Angle (wrt vertical) | Horizontal |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3299 |
| 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. |
