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Hymenaea verrucosa
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Trachylobium verrucosum, Trachylobium hornemannianum |
| Common Name: | Zanzibar copal, Madagascar copal, East African copal |
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 | Broad / Mushroom / Hemispherical |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A large tree with broad crown, growing about 5-20 metres tall but can reach up to 30 metres. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are green and unijugate; leaflets measuring between 5 - 10 cm x 3 - 5.5 cm, ovate - elliptical and asymmetrical, smooth and shiny |
| Flowers | Axillary and terminal inflorescences, paniculate; diameter of bracts about 2.5 mm, concave, shed at early stage (caducous); flowers measuring 15 mm long while the pedicels 5-7 mm long. 4 broad elliptical - obovate calyx lobes in each flower, measuring 10 x 5 mm; 5 white petals whereby 3 upper petals are clawed and 2 lower ones are oblong in shape. |
| Fruit | Fruit pod is dark-brown, ovoid-ellipsoidal, measures 5 x 3 cm, glabrous and contain resin-filled vesicles; contains 1-3 seeds and indehiscent. Seeds are dark brown measuring 20 x 12 mm, shiny and ellipsoidal, surrounded by creamy-colour of endocarp. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: Its hardy wood is used for general construction, firewood, poles and flooring. Others: Its hard resin (copal) is used to make varnish or burned as an aromatic incense. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| 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 |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Pod |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32371 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6782 |
| 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. |
