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Vatica pauciflora

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Vatica pauciflora (Korth.) Blume

Family Name: Dipterocarpaceae
Synonyms: Vatica stapfiana auct. non (King) Slooten <1, 2>
Common Name: Resak Rawa

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Thailand
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Medium to large-sized tree, able to grow up to about 25 m tall.
Trunk Sticky resin exudes from the tree when injured. 
Foliage Green elliptic-lanceolate leaves, simple and alternate arrangement, thinly coriaceous, measuring about 6.5 - 20 cm long and 2 - 8 cm wide, petiole about 10 - 18 mm long, stipules linear and about 8 mm long.
Flowers White to whitish-yellow flowers borne on axillary and subterminal panicle inflorescence up to 9 cm long, each flower about 18 mm wide.
Fruit Fruit is a brown nut about about 3 cm long and wide.
Habitat Can be found in lowland forests, freshwater swamps and river banks.
Etymology Genus Vatica is from the Latin word 'vates' which means 'a foreteller or prophet'. Specific epithet pauciflora means few-flowered.
Ethnobotanical Uses Timber & Products: The wood is used for construction purposes.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Base Cuneate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White, Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary, Terminal
Inflorescence Type Panicle

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown

References

References

<1> Chew, P.T., Suran, S. & Ibrahim, A. (1999). Checklist of vascular plants in the Nature Reserves of Singapore. Gard. Bull. Sing. 49(2): 161-223.

<2> Turner, I.M. & Chua, K.S. (2011). Checklist of the vascular plant species of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Singapore: Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.

Image Repository

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Others

Master ID 30510
Species ID 4819
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: 08 February 2024.
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