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Melicope lunu-ankenda

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Melicope lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) T.G.Hartley

Family Name: Rutaceae
Common Name: Chabang Tiga, Pepauh, Tenggek Burung, 三刈叶蜜茱萸

Melicope lunu-ankenda or Chabang Tiga is a tree native to Singapore. Growing to a height of 30 m tall, it produces trifoliate foliage where each leaflet is elliptic to spoon-shaped. Flowers are dioecious, small, white, 4-petalled, found along the axils. The fruit is a dry, elliptic to egg-shaped follicle that splits to reveal 1 -2 seeds in each cavity (locule).

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
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
Maximum Height 30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Himalayas, Sri Lanka, Java, Borneo, Philippines, Celebes, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan, Singapore
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a shrub or tall tree that can grow to 30 m tall.
Foliage The leaves are trifoliate, leathery, held on a petiole 1.5 - 15 cm long. Each leaflet is elliptic to spoon-shaped, asymmetrical, measuring 3.5 - 23 cm long by 2.5 - 7 cm wide. The terminal buds are sparsely hairy to velvety.
Flowers Flowers are dioecious where the female and male flowers are found on the same individual. They are small, white and 4-petalled, held on an 2 - 32 cm long inflorescence found along the axils or below the leaves.
Fruit The fruit is a dry, elliptic to egg-shaped follicle measuring 6 - 10 mm long. Each locule contains 1 - 2 round, oval to elliptic seeds measuring 3 - 6 mm long.
Habitat Occurs in primary, secondary, well-drained or swampy forest and montane shrubbery. From near sea-level to 2200m in altitude. <1>
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping Melicope lunu-ankenda is a fast growing species and suitable to reforest various less ideal site conditions. It flowers and fruit easily at 2- 3 m height.
Landscape Uses Reforestation

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves), Bird-Attracting (Flowers)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast to Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Type Compound (Trifoliate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate, Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse, Attenuate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Cyme
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

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

References

References <1> Jones, D.T. (1995). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak, vol. 1, pp. 392-393. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

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Master ID 30127
Species ID 4436
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: 24 March 2025.
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