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Lithocarpus bennettii (Miq.) Rehder
| Family Name: | Fagaceae |
| Common Name: | Bennett’s Oak, Mempening Bagan, Pasang-Pasang Suloh |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 35 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to about 35 m tall. It has greyish-brown bark, which can be smooth to fissured, and is covered with lenticels. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have thinly leathery leaf blades that are 9–12 by 3–5 cm, hairless and dull to glossy above, and densely covered with hair below. |
| Flowers | Its male flowering shoots are 10–20 cm long, whereas the bisexual flowering shoots are 10–15 cm long. Its male flowers are either solitary or grow in clusters of 2–3, while the female flowers are solitary. |
| Fruit | Its ovoid-conical fruits (nuts) are covered with hair and dark purplish-brown. Its stalked cupules are saucer-shaped and densely covered with greyish hair on the outside. |
| Habitat | It grows in primary, swampy, and heath forests up to about 1,000 m altitude. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek lithos, stone; Greek karpos, fruit, referring to the hard acorn; Latin bennettii, commemorating A.W. Bennett (1833–1902), a British botanist |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: It is a source of timber. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and large gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna), Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30796 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5150 |
| 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. |
