Back
Vatica pauciflora (Korth.) Blume
| Family Name: | Dipterocarpaceae |
| Synonyms: | Vatica stapfiana auct. non (King) Slooten <1, 2> |
| Common Name: | Resak Rawa |
Name
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 |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate to Slow |
| 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
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. |
