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Rhopaloblaste singaporensis
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Ptychoraphis singaporensis, Ptychosperma singaporensis, Ptychoraphis longiflora, Drymophloeus singaporensis |
| Common Name: | Singapore Walking-Stick Palm, Kerinting, Rintin |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Clustered Habit) |
| Plant Shape | Fountain (Palm-like) |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsula Malaysia & Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Discolorous. Pinnate leaves. Leaflets are arranged in two rows on the opposite of rachis. Elongated petiole up to 70cm long. When the leaf dies, the petiole breaks and the sheath is left attached to the stem. |
|---|---|
| Stems | The only species of Rhopaloblaste that has clustering stems. Slender, up to 5m tall, 1.9 - 4 cm diameter. |
| Crown Shaft | Hidden by decaying leaf sheath. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence 20-35 cm long with a spread of 10-15 cm emerging from the decaying leaf sheaths below crown-shaft. Orange flower. |
| Fruit | 10-12mm long and 1.2-1.3 mm diameter. yellowish orange to red when mature. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Fresh seed germinates in 3-4 months. |
| Habitat | Understorey clustering palm widespread in humid forest in Malaysia and singapore. |
| Cultivation | Like warm, sheltered and moist place. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Others: The stems are used for making handles and walking sticks. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Pinnate / Feather) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Palm - Cluster) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Clustering Habit, Aboveground |
|---|---|
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth, Gloss / Shiny |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Cauliflorous |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1387 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5090 |
| 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. |
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