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Syzygium pyrifolium (Blume) DC.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Synonyms: | Eugenia striata, Eugenia pyrifolia, Eugenia salaccensis, Eugenia javensis, Eugenia tumida, Syzygium truncatum |
| Common Name: | Kelat, Jambu hutan, Kayu lelan |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary 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 can grow up to 18 m tall and 120 cm in trunk girth size. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are lance-shaped or elliptic or drop-shaped and 4–11 cm by 1.5–6 cm. Each leaf blade has a pointed leaf tip, 1 vein running parallel to the blade margin, and many side veins close together. |
| Flowers | Its bisexual flowers are white, fragrant, and found in up to about 11-cm long flower clusters located at ends of its twigs or axils of its leaves. |
| Fruit | Its fleshy fruits are flattened-round, greenish to dull brown when ripe, and about 1-1.9 cm across. |
| Habitat | It grows in both primary and secondary lowland forests, and peat swamp forests. It occurs locally in Mandai Forest and Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are probably pollinated by bats, and fruits are probably eaten by birds. |
| Etymology | Greek syzygos, joined, referring to the paired leaves of this species; Latin pyrifolium, pear-leaved |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
References
| References | Henderson, M. R.. 1949. The genus Eugenia (Myrtaceae) in Malaya. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 12. 1. 1-293 Kochummen, K. M.. 1978. Myrtaceae. Tree Flora of Malaya. 3. 169-254 Parnell, J. & P. Chantaranothai. 2002. Myrtaceae. Flora of Thailand. 7. 778-914 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29728 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4037 |
| 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. |
