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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 |
Ochrosia oppositifolia or Twin-Apple is a tall tree that can grow to 60 m tall. This native exudates a white milky sap when bruised, has spoon-shaped leaves and whitish to cream white flowers. The fruit known as schizocarp splits into 2 oval, elliptic to almost round capsules which ripens from green to yellow or orange.
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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 | 60 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 60 m tall, with white, milky latex when bruised. |
Foliage | Leaves are 3 - 5 whorled, fleshy, spoon shaped rarely elliptic with 21 - 42 pairs of veinlets, between 6.5 - 36 cm long by 3.4 - 18 cm wide. |
Flowers | Flowers are borne in an inflorescence in whorls of 2 - 4, between 2 - 17 cm long. They are whitish to yellowish white, tubular, 5-petalled, glabrous outside, short dense hairs on the inside. |
Fruits | The fruit is known as a Schizocarp where it splits into 2 oval to elliptic or almost round, single-seeded capsule which ripens from green to yellow or orange. |
Similar | Occurs in primary or old secondary forest, hill slopes, river margins or swamps. |
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 |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
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, Elliptical) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Retuse, Rounded |
Non - Foliar and Storage
Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower & Plant Sexuality 2 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal, Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type 1 | Indehiscent Dry Fruit |
Fruit Type 2 | Schizocarp |
Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
References | Middleton, D.J. & Rodda, M. (2019). Apocynanceae. Flora of Singapore, vol. 13, pp. 421-630. Singapore, Singapore Botanic Gardens: National Parks Board. |
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. |