Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 12 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 12 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked, pinnate leaves have 3–5 pairs of leaflets. Its stalked leaflets have leathery leaf blades that are red when young, 8–16 by 18–35 cm, and with toothed margins. |
| Flowers | Its long-branched flowering shoot is erect, 30–60 cm long, and found in the leaf axils or at the end of leafy twigs. Its pinkish to white-petaled flowers have red sepals and are fragrant. |
| Fruit | Its round fruits are spiny, 3–4 cm wide, turning greyish brown to red and split into 3 parts when ripe. |
| Habitat | It grows at the forest edge, along river banks, and on limestone outcrops. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek para, resembling; Greek nephilion, little cloud; Greek macrophyllum, big leaf, referring to the leaf blades |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The oil from seeds is used in lamps, and for treating skin diseases. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and streetscapes. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers) |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Odd-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Red, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Thorny / Spiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31771 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6171 |
| 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. |