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Syzygium formosum

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Syzygium formosum (Wall.) Masam

Family Name: Myrtaceae
Synonyms: Syzygium pseudoformosum (King) Merr. & L.M.Perry, Eugenia pseudoformosa King

Syzygium formosum is an understory tree native to Singapore. Reaching up to 20 m tall, it produce leathery, elliptic leaves held on a very short stalk. Veins are impressed, prominent on the underside. Flowers are pink, showy with multiple stamens resembling a pom-pom sitting within a hypanthium with 4 broad round lobes. The fruit is a reddish oblong-round berry with a narrowed base.

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Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Maximum Height 20 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Peninsular Myanmar, Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo, Singapore
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is an understory tree with whitish grey or dark brown coloured bark that may grow to 20 m tall.
Foliage Leaves are elliptic or oblong-elliptic, leathery, mesuring to 34 cm long and 13 cm wide. The leaves have a base that is heart-shaped, rounded or narrowing, the lateral veins are sunken above. On the underside, the looped veins are prominent, 0.5 - 1 cm away from the margin while the smaller veinlets are faint. Each leaf is held on a short stalk up to 0.5 cm long.
Flowers Flowers are borne on an inflorescence produced at the tips of the branches. Flowers are pink coloured, showy, have multiple stamens resembling a pom-pom sitting within a hypanthium with 4 broad round lobes.
Fruit The fruit is a oblong-round berry with a narrowed base, lobes may still be present. The berry ripens from green to reddish, measuring to 25 mm long by 20 mm wide.
Habitat Occurs commonly in lowland, hill and mountain forests, moist valleys and by streams at low altitude.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate to Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Recticulate
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Attenuate
Foliar Base Attenuate, Cordate, Rounded / Obtuse

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Berry

References

References <1> Ashton, P.S. (2011). Myrtaceae. In: Soepadmo, E., Saw, L.G., Chung, R.C.K. & Kiew, R.. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak, vol. 7, pp. 208-209. Selangor: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

<2> Kochummen, K.M. (1978). Tree Flora of Malaya, vol. 3, pp. 211-222. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Department, Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia.
 

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Master ID 33342
Species ID 7756
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.
Species record last updated on: 19 February 2024.
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