Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Drypetes pendula

Back

Drypetes pendula Ridl.

Family Name: Putranjivaceae
Synonyms: Drypetes gigantifolia J.J.Sm.
Common Name: Sabre Leaf, Garligo Salak, Gelugor Salak

Drypetes pendula or Sabre Leaf is a medium sized tree that is native to Singapore. Growing to a height of 20 m tall, it has long, pendulous branches with thick, rigid, leathery, oblong leaves that starts off red to purple-red when young. Flowers are dioecious, produced on a clustering inflorescence along the axils behind the foliage. The fruit is a leathery, oblong, 1 to 3-seeded drupe that turns strongly wrinkled, thinly velvety, brown to dark dull red when ripe.

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
Plant Shape Weeping / Pendulous
Maximum Height 20 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Malay Peninsula: Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a medium-sized tree that can grow to 20 m tall with a single distinct trunk and long pendulous branches.
Foliage The pendulous foliage starts off thin, narrowly oblong and red to purple-red when young. Mature leaves are large, rigid, thick, leathery and oblong measuring 30 - 60 cm long, 10 - 25 cm wide. The base of the leaves are unequally heart-shaped, glossy above.
Flowers Flowers are dioecious where the female and male flowers are produced on separate indivduals. Borne on a clustering inflorescence, the flowers are found along the axils behind the foliage.
Fruit The fruit is a leathery, oblong drupe which contains 1-3 seeds within. When ripe, the fruit becomes dry, thinly velvety brown to dark dull red and strongly wrinkled.
Habitat Occurs in primary, secondary lowland forest, on hillside, ridges and along river banks, in flat, hilly and moist land up to altitude of 1300 m. <1 & 2>

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Reforestation

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 Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Red
Young Flush Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Cordate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Drupe

References

References <1> Ridley, H.N. et. al (1924). The flora of Malay Peninsula, vol. 3. London: L. Reeve & Co., Ltd. pp. 222.
<2> Kochummen, K.M. (1973). Euphorbiaceae. Tree Flora of Malaya, vol. 2, pp. 89. Kuala Lumpur, Longman Group Limited.

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 29072
Species ID 3388
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: 23 January 2025.
Share