Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m to 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China, Tropical Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree with a spreading or sprawling growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Dark green, smooth glossy leaves are oblong, but pinched in the middle so that 1 leaf looks like 2 ovate leaves fused together. |
| Fruit | The fruit is round to egg-shaped and often has a distinct nipple-like structure near the apex. It is light to dark green with a very wrinkled and bumpy texture, eventually turning yellow before dropping from the tree. The flesh contains little juice which is sour and slightly bitter. |
| Associated Fauna | It is the food plant for caterpillars of the moths Attacus atlas (Atlas Moth) |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Herb or Spice): The leaves add a lemon flavour to various types of dishes, such as Tom Yum soup. The rind can be added to curry, such as green curry paste. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Trunk |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Moth Food Plant (Leaves) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Time-Independent |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Waxy, Bumpy / Tuberculate |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Several (11-20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29361 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3670 |
| 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. |
