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Ochrosia oppositifolia (Lam.) K.Schum.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cerbera oppositifolia Lam., Neisosperma oppositifolium (Lam.) Fosb. & Sach. |
| Common Name: | Twin-Apple |
Name
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 18 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi, Moluccas, New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial, Shoreline |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 18 m tall, with white, milky latex on bruised parts. |
| Foliage | Its 3-5 whorled, stalked leaves have fleshy leaf blades that are usually reverse egg-shaped, light green, and 4.5-36 by 1.5-18 cm. |
| Flowers | Its white, 5-petaled flowers are 1.3 cm wide and fragrant, growing on 2-17 cm long inflorescences. |
| Fruits | Its fruits are ellipsoid or ovoid that ripen from green to yellow or orange, 5-8.5 cm by 3-5.5 cm. |
| Similar | It grows on rocky and sandy seashores, in beach vegetation, coastal forests, and the edge of mangrove forests. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects. |
| Etymology | Genus Ochrosia from a Greek word which means pale-yellow, referring to the whitish flowers. Latin oppositifolia, leaves arranged in pairs, opposite each other on the stem, referring to the leaf arrangement in the species. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal ( It is used to treat fever and stomach problems in Vietnam folk medicine.) |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The plant resembles a more neatly branching frangipani (Plumeria species or hybrids). It is a tree suitable for gardens, parks and possibly roadsides. |
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form, Fragrant (Flowers) |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Landscape Uses | General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite, Whorled |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 30185 |
| Species ID | 4494 |
| 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. |