Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa to India |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub or small tree growing 2-4 m tall in the open or 9-15 m in forests. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Odd-pinnate compound leaves (20 cm long) are composed of 5-15 pairs of leaflets (2.5-5 cm long). Light green, oblong leaflets have entire leaf margin and a rounded or notched tip. |
| Flowers | Dense clusters of 8-30 bright yellow flowers hang down in chains. Pea-like flowers are 2.5 cm long. |
| Fruit | Flattened, indehiscent pods (5-12 cm long, 0.8-1.9 cm wide) bulge with up to 8 brownish, oval seeds. Greenish pods turn light brown and papery after drying. |
| Habitat | It grows in forests, forest margins, and open fields or hillsides. It grows taller in forests (9-15 m) than in open lands (2-4 m). |
| Etymology | The genus 'Calpurnia' is named after Roman poet Calpurnius. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Oblique / Asymmetrical |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5), Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29464 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3773 |
| 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. |