Back
Xanthophyllum griffithii Meijden subsp. erectum
| Family Name: | Polygalaceae |
| Common Name: | Dedali paya, Rawai |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 27 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 27 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have leaf blades that are flat-margined, variable in shape, and 5–15 by 2–9 cm, with wedge-shaped bases. The leaves whitish waxy (glaucous) and have small projections below. |
| Flowers | Its flowering shoots are mostly branched, and up to 10 cm long. Its stalked flowers have white petals, the upper ones with a yellow spot each. |
| Fruit | Its 1-seeded fruits are round, smooth, 1–1.5 cm wide, and covered with hair all around. |
| Habitat | It grows in rainforests. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek xanthos, yellow; Greek phullon, leaf, referring to the leaves that are often yellow when dry; Latin griffithii, commemorating William Griffith (1810–1845), a British colonial physician, naturalist, and botanist; Latin erectum, upright, erect, probably referring to the plant’s growth form |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It produces yellowish-white timber. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|
References
| References | Burkill, I. H. 1966. A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Volumes I & II. Kuala Lumpur: Governments of Malaysia and Singapore. 2444 de Wilde, W. J. J. O. & B. E. E. Duyfjes. 2007. Polygalaceae. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. 6: 219−295 van der Meijden, R.. 1988. Polygalaceae. Flora Malesiana, Series I. 10: 455−540 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32314 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6722 |
| 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. |
