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Elaeocarpus hainanensis Oliver
| Family Name: | Elaeocarpaceae |
| Common Name: | Hainan Oil-Fruit Tree, Hainan Elaeocarpus, 水石榕 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small-sized tree, able to grow up to about 5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Bark surface is smooth. |
| Foliage | Green narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblong leaves, measuring about 7 - 15 cm long and 1.5 - 3 cm wide, leaves tend to be clustered at the apex of branches, petiole about 1 - 2 cm long, margin denticulate. |
| Flowers | White 5-petaled flowers about 3 - 4 cm wide borne on an axillary raceme inflorescence about 5 - 8 cm long, bracts ovate, sessile and leaf-liked, stamens about 63 - 75 present and roughly the same length as the petals. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a spindle-shaped drupe about 4 - 5 cm long. |
| Etymology | Genus Elaeocarpus is from Greek words "elaia" which means "olive" and "karpos" which means "fruit" and they refer to the fruits. Species hainanensis means from Hainan, a province from southern China. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Bonsai, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 9906 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3319 |
| 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. |
