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Cratoxylum arborescens (Vahl) Blume

Family Name:	Hypericaceae
Synonyms:	Hypericum arborescens Vahl, Vismia arborescens (Vahl) Choisy
Common Name:	Geronggang

Cratoxylum arborescens or Geronggang is a tall tree that reaches 45 m in height. It produce leathery, stalked, opposite leaves and pink to red coloured cup-like flowers. Upon maturity, the capsule fruit will spilt into 3, releasing numerous winged seeds. Dayak, a native group in Borneo uses the old hollow trunks of Geronggang to make drums.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Flowers

Tree

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
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Maximum Height

45 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Borneo, Jawa, Malaya, Myanmar, Sumatera, Thailand and Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a tree that grows to 45 m tall. When buttresses are present, it reach to 1 m high. It has a grey to dark brown or reddish-brown scaly bark.
Foliage	Its leaves are stalked, opposite, with tiny dark dots found on leaf surfaces. Leaves are mostly leathery, elliptic to obovate measuring 5.5 - 19.5 cm long and 2 - 5.5 cm wide. A single intramarginal vein runs continously along the margin on the underside.
Flowers	Its flowers are 5-petalled, cup-like, pink to deep red in colour. The flowers are held on panicle inflorescences produced at the tips of branches.

Fruit	Its fruit is produced in a capsule, spilts into 3 upon maturity releasing numerous winged seeds.
Habitat	Occurs in dryland primary and secondary forest, grassland, peat swamp and freshwater swamp forest. Occurring from sea-level to 1000 m, rarely to 1800 m.
Taxonomy	The genus, Cratoxylon is derived from the Greek words kratos, strong and xylon, wood in reference to its timber. Its species epithet, Latin arbor refers to tree.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Timber & Products: The genus typically produce heavy wood with various uses from charcoal to construction materials. Dayak, a native group in Borneo uses the old hollow trunks of Cratoxylon arborescens to make drums.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Slow

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Waterlogged Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Obovate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Caudate
Foliar Base	Attenuate, Cuneate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody
Root Type	Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Pink, Red

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Bowl-shaped
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Seed Quantity Per Fruit

Numerous (>20)

References

References	Neo, L., Chong, K.Y., Tan, S.Y., Koh, C.Y., Lim, R.C.J., Loh, J.W., Ng, W.Q., Seah, W.W., Yee, A.T.K. & Tan, H.T.W (2016), Towards a field guide to the trees of the Nee Soon Swamp Forest (II): Cratoxylum (Hypericaceae). Nature in Singapore 9: 29-39. Robson, N.K.B (1974). Hypericaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 1 Seed Plants, vol. 8. Leiden: Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

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Master ID	29560
Species ID	3869
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.