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Elaeocarpus acmosepalus Stapf ex Ridl.

Family Name:

Elaeocarpaceae

Elaeocarpus acmosepalus is tree native to Singapore. Growing to 20 m tall, it has leathery, egg-shaped to elliptic leaves loosely gathered at the tips of branches with 4 - 5 pairs of lateral veins with smooth to nearly smooth leaf margin. Flowers are pendulous, white, fragrant, 5-petalled with unequal linear lobes resembling rows of 'fairy lanterns' found among or right behind the foliage. The fruit is a spindle-shaped drupe that ripens to yellowish green.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Flowers

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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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	Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a medium sized tree that can grow to 20 m tall.
Foliage	Leaves are leathery, egg-shaped to elliptic, loosely grouped at the tips measuring 8 - 19 cm long by 3 - 9 cm wide. There are 4 - 5 pairs of lateral veins, smooth to somewhat smooth leaf margin. Growing tips tend to exude resin while emerging and senesced leaves are typically red coloured.
Flowers	Flowers are white, fragrant, 5-petalled with equal number of sepals, petals are spoon-shaped, toothed with unequal linear lobes. They are pendulous, facing down resembling rows of 'fairy lanterns' held on a 6 - 7 cm long inflorescence, each with 12 - 15 flowers found among or right behind the foliage.

Fruit	The fruit is a spindle-shaped drupe with a smooth to slightly wrinkly texture measuring 2 - 2.5 cm long, ripening to yellowish green.
Habitat	Occurs in freshwater or peat swamp forest at 3 - 10 m altitude.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed. <1, 2>
Etymology	The genus, Elaeocarpus Greek elaeo meaning oil; carpos meaning fruit. The species epithet, acmosepalus Greek, akmee meaning sharp, Latin, sepalus meaning sepal; sepals sharp-pointed.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers

Plant Care and Propagation

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

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

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Spiral

Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Ovate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Acute

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White, White

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Axillary
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden, Green
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Wrinkled, Smooth
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type

References

References	<1> Ng, F.S.P. (1989). Tree Flora of Malaya, vol. 4, pp. 86. Selangor: Forest Research Institute Malaysia. <2> Coode, M.J.E. (2018) Elaeocarpus. In: Kiew, R., Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G. & Soepadmo, E. (ed.) Elaeocarpaceae. Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, ser. II, vol. 7, pp. 52-53. Selangor: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

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Master ID	34442
Species ID	8855
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.