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Alphonsea elliptica Hook.f. & Thomson
| Family Name: | Annonaceae |
| Synonyms: | Alphonsea maingayi var. elliptica (Hook.f. & Thomson) Ridl., Alphonsea teysmannii Boerl. |
| Common Name: | Terbak, Mempisang |
Alphonsea elliptica, also known as Terbak, is a tree which can grow up to 26 m tall. It produces timber which is used for light construction such as wooden packing crates and tool handles.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 26 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 26 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are elliptic to elliptic ovate (8 – 15 cm long and 3 – 8.5 cm wide) and alternately arranged. The leaf texture is membranous to thinly leathery and the leaf margin is smooth (entire). The leaf tip is shortly tapering (acuminate) or acute while the leaf base is wedged shaped (cuneate). There are 7 – 11 pairs of secondary veins on each leaf and the petiole is about 0.7 cm long. The upper surface of the leaf is glossy and remains shiny even when dried. Fresh leaves are green while dried leaves are often grey. |
| Flowers | Flowers occur in a cluster of 1 – 3 at the axis of the branches. Flowers are small (2 cm long) with 3 sepals and 6 valvate petals apices which become reflexed at anthesis. Flower has persistent short orbicular bracts and each flower contains 35 stamens arranged in 4 rows. |
| Fruit | Fruits occur in a cluster (carpidia). It is cylindrical (about 7.5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide), smooth, yellowish and hairy. |
| Habitat | It is found in rainforest, up to 300 m altitude. |
| Associated Flora | Flowers are pollinated by insects. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet elliptica, in Latin, means elliptic, which refers to the shape of the leaf blade. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: The timber of Alphonsea is grouped together with other members of Annonaceae and sold as Mempisang. The timber is used for light construction such as producing sliced veneers, match boxes, wooden packing crates, parquet or flooring and tool handles. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
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 |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Smooth |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
| References | I.M. Turner, I.M. and Utteridge, T.M.A. (2015). A new species of Alphonsea (Annonaceae) from Peninsular Malaysia. Blumea 59 (3): 206–208 Kessler, P.J.A. (1995). Studies on the tribe Saccopetalae (Annonaceae) – IV. Revision of the genus Alphonsea Hook.f. & Thomson. Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 118: 81–112. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34275 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8688 |
| 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. |