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Hernandia nymphaeifolia (C. Presl) Kubitzki
Family Name: | Hernandiaceae |
Common Name: | Buah Keras Laut, Sea-hearse, 莲叶桐 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Rounded |
Maximum Height | 22 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Coasts of the Indian and West Pacific Oceans, including Singapore. |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach, Rocky Beach) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is an evergreen sea-shore tree up to 22 m tall, with an uneven, open, rounded crown. The trunk is also shortly buttressed, and slightly crooked at the base. |
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Foliage | Its spirally arranged, long-stalked leaves have rather fleshy-leathery leaf blades that are usually broadly egg-shaped, short-tipped, and up to 33 by 29 cm, with yellowish veins and midribs. The leaf blades are attached at the centre of its undersides to the stalk. |
Flowers | Its much-branched, upright flowering shoots are up to 30 cm long. They bear fragrant flowers that are yellowish-white and 8.5 mm wide. |
Fruit | Its long-stalked fruits are black nuts, grow in drooping clusters, and about 2.5 cm long, with 8–10 longitudinal grooves. The fruit is enclosed inside a cup that is up to 2.5 cm wide, and pale green then greyish-white. |
Habitat | It grows most commonly along sandy and rocky coasts. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed, but germination takes almost a year. |
Etymology | Latin Hernandia, commemorating Francisco Hernandez (d. 1578), a Spanish naturalist and explorer; Latin Nymphaea, water-lily; Latin foliacea, leaf-like, referring to this species’ leaves resembling that of the water-lily, Nymphaea |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: The lightweight, soft timber breaks down quickly, but is used for making canoes. Others: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The seeds can be used to make candles as they contain about 51% of red-brown, inedible oil. The alkaloid-containing seeds cause dizziness and purging when eaten. The leaves also cause purging. Poison of the ipoh tree (Antiaris toxicaria), crabs or fish is thought be counteracted using the plant. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable for planting in streetscapes, parks and gardens for its unique fruits and leaves. It can also be planted in coastal parks as it is able to withstand the environmental conditions. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers) |
Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Seed / Spore Germination Duration | 12 months |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Base | Perifoliate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 29083 |
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Species ID | 3396 |
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. |