Back
Flacourtia rukam Zoll. & Moritzi
Family Name: | Salicaceae |
Synonyms: | Flacourtia edulis Griff., Flacourtia euphlebia Merr., Flacourtia megaphylla Ridl., Flacourtia peninsula Elm., Flacourtia sulcata Elm. |
Common Name: | Indian Prune, Rukam Manis, 大叶刺篱木 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
---|---|
Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Irregular |
Maximum Height | 20 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Hainan, Indochina, southern Thailand through Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei to Papua New Guinea |
---|---|
Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a tree up to 20 m tall. |
---|---|
Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have leathery to almost leathery leaf blades that are red to brown when young, egg-shaped-oblong, oval to oblong-lance-shaped, 6.5–18 by 3–9 cm, and with toothed margins. |
Flowers | Its flowering clusters are finely covered with hair and found at the leaf axils. They bear few greenish-yellow flowers. |
Fruits | Its stalked fruits are globose to depressed globose, or drop-shaped, turning pink or dark red when ripe, 2–2.5 cm wide, and topped by a ring of styles. |
Habitat | It grows in evergreen primary and secondary forests, often along rivers, up to 2,100 m altitude. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. It is the butterfly host plant and caterpillar food plant for the Leopard butterfly (Phalanta phalantha phalantha), Rustic butterfly (Cupha erymanthis) and Vagrant butterfly (Vagrans sinha sinha). |
Etymology | Latin flacourtia, commemorating Etienne de Flacourt (1607–1660), the director of the French East India company; Javanese rukam, the vernacular name of this species |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Fruits) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : The plant is cultivated for its edible fruits for jam.) Medicinal ( The juice of the fruits used for dysentery, dysmenorrhea, and diarrhea. The juice of the leaves is applied to inflamed eyelids.) Timber & Products ( The wood is hard and used to make pestles or shafts in the Philippines.) |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable for parks. |
---|---|
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant (Leaves) |
---|---|
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
---|---|
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
---|---|
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Oblong, Elliptical, Lanceolate) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
---|---|
Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Pink, Red |
---|---|
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type 1 | Fleshy Fruit |
Fruit Type 2 | Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 1628 |
---|---|
Species ID | 5182 |
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. |