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Atalantia ceylanica (Arn.) Oliv.
| Family Name: | Rutaceae |
| Synonyms: | Limonia citrifolia, Rissoa ceylanica |
| Common Name: | Ceylon Atalantia |
Atalantia ceylanica is a perennial woody shrub that has dark green ovate to oblong leaves with sharp spines on the leaf axils. This plant grows well under full sun on well-drained soil and can be propagated via seeds.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Spiny shrub to 2m tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves ovate or somewhat oblong, 2-4 cm long by 1-2.5cm wide, alternating with sharp spines to 2.5cm long. Mature leaves dull dark green above, light green below, with dark green veins and glandular dots. Juvenile leaves pale reddish brown. |
| Flowers | Flowers white, fragrant, to 1.3 cm across, clustered in leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Fruits ripening dark purplish black, to 1.5cm across, with 1-2 large seeds. |
| Associated Fauna | Papilio demoleus, the Lime Butterfly, has been recorded as using this species as one of the caterpillar host plants in Sril Lanka. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Sri Lanka, the juice from the leaves are used to make pills for the treatment of bronchitis and other respiratory complaints |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Bird & Wildlife Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (axillary) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Crenulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse, Retuse |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Green |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31992 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6394 |
| 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. |