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Bhesa paniculata Arn.

Family Name:	Centroplacaceae
Common Name:	Biku-biku, Malayan Spindle Tree

Bhesa paniculata, also known as Biku-biku, is a tree that have heart-shaped fruits. They gradually ripen from yellow to rose-red, and are fancied by birds and small mammals.

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Bird-Attracting Plant

Native to Singapore

Fruit or Vegetable

Ornamental Flowers

Tree

Name

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

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Big (>30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Rounded, Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical
Maximum Height	35 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Southern India, south Myanmar, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Borneo
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a medium-sized tree up to 35 m tall, with a dark green, heavy crown.
Foliage	Its spirally arranged leaves have long stalks that are swollen at both ends. They also have thinly leathery leaf blades that are oval to oblong, pointing downwards, and 5.5–39 by 2–15 cm, with finely crowded, parallel veinlets between the secondary veins.
Flowers	Its flowers are faintly fragrant, yellowish-cream or dark purplish-red, and 5 mm wide. They are also arranged in panicles up to 38 cm long at the end of leafy twigs.

Fruit	Its 2-lobed fruits are flattened heart-shaped, 1–2 by 0.8–1.3 cm, yellow then rose-red, and found in large clusters. They split into two parts when ripe to reveal 2–4 seeds half covered with crimson pink pulp. Its seeds are rounded, pale brown, and 6–8 mm wide.
Habitat	It grows in lowland primary and secondary forests, and peat swamp forest, to submontane forests up to 1,500 m altitude. It is occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest, in the vicinity of Upper Seletar Reservoir, and Old Upper Thomson Road.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are insect-pollinated and the fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Etymology	Pali bhesa and bhesa bol, referring to the resin of false myrrh; Latin paniculatus, having flowers arranged in a loose, branched cluster (a panicle)
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruits are edible. Timber & Products: The wood is used for constructing houses, and making beams, floorboards, and poles. Others: It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	This species resembles oak- and chestnut-trees owing to its attractive cluster of yellowish-cream or dark purplish-red flowers. It also resembles the European spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus) owing to its attractive rose-red fruits. It may be suitable for parks and large gardens. It needs greater care after transplanting, as the transplanted trees or saplings tend to die easily from water stress so must be watered regularly during the establishment period.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses	General, Parks & Gardens

SGMP Treatment

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, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White, Purple, Red
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Terminal

Inflorescence Type	Panicle
Inflorescence Size	38 m

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red, Yellow / Golden
Mature Seed Colour(s)	Brown
Seed Description	Its seeds are rounded, pale brown, and 6–8 mm wide.

Seed Quantity Per Fruit

Few (1-5)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	2014
Species ID	3306
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: 15 February 2022.