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Lophopetalum pallidum

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Lophopetalum pallidum M.A.Lawson

Family Name: Celastraceae
Synonyms: Lophopetalum curtisii King
Common Name: Kerueh, Kelempait

Lophopetalum pallidum or Kerueh is a large-sized tree native to Singapore. Growing to a height of 53 m tall, it produces ash-coloured, elliptic to broadly elliptic leaves which are papery to slightly leathery. The flowers are borne in clusters, petals are yellow, angular, fleshy with a red, dish-shaped disk at the center, The fruit is a woody, spindle-shaped capsule that splits into 3 parts when ripe, releasing flat, winged seeds dispersed by wind.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
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 large-sized tree that can grow up to 53 m tall. Tall steep buttresses may be present.
Foliage Leaves are papery to slightly leathery, elliptic to broadly elliptic, sometimes egg-shaped to broadly egg-shaped, ash-coloured above, measuring 7 - 12 cm long by 3.5 - 5.5 cm wide.
Flowers Flowers are borne on an inflorescence, up to 7 cm long. The flower have yellow, angular, fleshy, petals with smooth to irregular margins and a red dish-shaped disk at the center. Stamens and pistils emerge from disk measuring 3 - 4 mm wide.
Fruit The fruit is a woody, spindle-shaped capsule, 3-lobed measuring to 15.5 cm long. Upon maturity, it splits to release flat, oblong, winged seeds measuring to 9 cm long and 2.25 cm wide.
Habitat Occurs in dryland primary rainforest, on hillsides and lowland up to 200 m in altitude. <1,2>
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

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 Moderate to Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy 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, Oblong, Ovate)
Foliar Venation Recticulate
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate, Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse, Cuneate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, Red
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Panicle
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

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

References

References <1>  Hou, D. 1962. Lophopetalum. In: Hou, D. (ed.) Celastraceae, Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, vol. 6, pt. 2, pp. 268-269. Leiden: Rjksherbarium.

<2> Kochummen, K.M. & Whitemore, T.C. (1972). Celastraceae. Tree Flora of Malaya, vol. 1, pp. 168-169. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia.
 

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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.
Species record last updated on: 21 December 2023.

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