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Lophopetalum pallidum Laws.
| Family Name: | Celastraceae |
| Common Name: | Kerueh, Kelempait |
Lophopetalum pallidum, also known as Kerueh, is a tall tree which is critically endangered in Singapore. Fruit splits into 3 parts when ripe. Each seed is flattened, winged all around and dispersed by wind.
Name
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| Species Summary |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 58 m |
| Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter | 3 |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a very large tree that can grow up to 58 m in height. |
| Foliage | Tertiary veins perpendicular to the mid-rib of the leaf. |
| Habitat | Grows in dry primary rainforest and often on hillsides or ridge tops. Due to habitat loss, this has become a rare tree in Sabah and Sarawak. In Singapore, a single tree, about 36 m tall with a girth of more than 3 m girth, was found beside the MacRitchie Nature Trail. Fewer than 50 mature individuals occur in Singapore. |
| Etymology | Lophopetalum, the genus epithet, is derived from the Greek "lopho", meaning "tufted, crested, bristled or maned", and petalum, meaning "petalled". The species epithet, pallidum, means "greenish, somewhat pale". |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious ( The bark is used by the indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia to make dart poison.) |
Landscaping Features
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Reforestation |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Brown |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
References
| References | Ganesan, S.K. 2009. Lophopetalum pallidum Laws. (Celastraceae), an addition to the flora of Singapore. Nature in Singapore. 2009. 2. 459-461 |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 29713 |
| Species ID | 4022 |
| 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. |