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Pterospermum sumatranum Miq.

Family Name:	Malvaceae
Synonyms:	Pterospermum javanicum auct. non Jungh. <1>, Pterospermum blumeanum auct. non Korth. <2>
Common Name:	Bayur

Pterospermum sumatranum or Bayur is a small-sized tree that can grow to 15 m tall. Leaves are asymmetrical, broadly egg to lance-shaped with an uneven heart-shaped base, the underside is covered in short, brown hairs. Flowers can either be held singly or in clusters of 2 to 3 flowers along the axils. Flowers are 5 petalled, showy, white coloured. Petals are short, broadly egg to spoon shaped while sepals are long and linear . The fruit is a 5-angled, oblong capsule that splits upon maturity to reveal its winged seeds.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Maximum Height

15 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Myanmar, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, 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 a small-sized tree growing between 12 - 15 m tall. Branches are covered in red hairs that turn blackish with time.
Foliage	Leaves are slightly leathery, asymmetrical, broadly egg to lance-shaped with a uneven heart-shaped base. Measuring 4.5 - 14 cm long by 3.5 - 5 cm wide, the leaves are light green above while the underside is densely covered in short, brown hairs.
Flowers	Flowers are either held singly or in clusters of 2 to 3 along the axils or near the tips. The flowers measures about 5 cm long, with 5 petals and sepals. The petals are short, white, broadly lance to spoon-shaped petals, sepals are longer and linear, covered with hairs on both sides.

Fruit	The fruit is a 5-angled, oblong capsule measuring 7.5 - 10 cm long by 3.8 cm wide. Upon maturity, it splits to reveal single-winged seeds.
Habitat	Occurs in forests. <3>
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green, Brown
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Glossy / Shiny, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose

Foliar Modification	Stipule
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Oblong, Ovate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate
Foliar Base	Cordate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Green - Light Green, White

Flower Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence, Solitary
Flower Location	Axillary
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Inflorescence Type	Cyme
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

References

References	<1> Burkill, I.H. (1935). A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula, vol 2. pp. 1836. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operatives. <2> Ridley, H.N. (1900). Flora of Singapore. J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., vol. 33, pp. 53. Singapore: American Mission Press. <3> Ridley, H.N. et al. (1922). Sterculiaceae. The Flora of the Malay Peninsula, vol. 1, Polypetalae, pp. 283. London: L. Reeve & Co., Ltd.

References

<1> Burkill, I.H. (1935). A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula, vol 2. pp. 1836. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operatives.

<2> Ridley, H.N. (1900). Flora of Singapore. J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc., vol. 33, pp. 53. Singapore: American Mission Press.

<3> Ridley, H.N. et al. (1922). Sterculiaceae. The Flora of the Malay Peninsula, vol. 1, Polypetalae, pp. 283. London: L. Reeve & Co., Ltd.

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Master ID	34414
Species ID	8827
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.