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Pittosporum ridleyi L.W.Cayzer & G.Chandler
| Family Name: | Pittosporaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pittosporum ferrugineum auct. non W.T.Aiton <3> |
| Common Name: | Rusty-leaved Pittosporum |
Pittosporum ridleyi or Rusty-leaved Pittosporum is a slender, medium sized tree native to Singapore. Growing up to 22 m tall, it has narrow elliptic, thin leaves with a prominent drip tip. Flowers are dioecious, 5-petalled, cream-green turn yellow coloured with age, borne in clusters found at the ends of the branches. The fruit is a capsule with a rounded base that turns orange and spilt open when matured, revealing numerous brick red seeds coated in resin.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Maximum Height | 22 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a slender, medium sized tree that grow to 22 metres tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are aromatic, thin, membranous to leathery, mostly narrow elliptic-shaped, measuring 8 - 11.5 cm long by 3.5 - 5.5 cm wide with prominent drip tip and a waxy leaf margin. New shoots and leaves are covered in rust-coloured hairs which may persist on the underside of mature foliage. |
| Flowers | Flowers are dioecious where the female and male flowers are held on the separate individuals. Flowers are on an inflorescence of 25mm long clustered near the ends of the branches. Flowers are tubular, star-shaped with 5 recurved petals, turns from cream-green to yellow with age, measuring about 5-6 mm long. |
| Fruit | The fruit is an aromatic capsule with a rounded base, measuring 8 - 10 mm long by 10 mm wide clustered in bundles up to 16. Upon maturity, the capsule turns from green to orange, spilt open to reveal numerous brick red seeds coated in resin. |
| Habitat | Occurs near seashores; edges of swamps, rocks. Along rivers, in dry bushes and open savannah land. Occasionally found within the understorey of rainforests, secondary forests from the lowland up to 1800 m. |
| Taxonomy | Plants in forests or natural areas of Singapore thought to be Pittosporum ferrugineum are now known to be Pittosporum ridleyi. However, cultivated plants of Pittosporum ferrugineum in Singapore are indeed Pittosporum ferrugineum. <3> |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The bruised leaves and fruit are used as fish poison. <1 & 2> |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Foliage, Fruits) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery, Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Brown, Orange |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green, Yellow / Golden |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Red |
References
| References | <1>Bakker, K. & van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (1957). Pittosporaceae. In: Van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (ed.) Flora Malesiana, ser. 1, Seed Plants, vol. 5, pp. 355-356. Jakarta: Noordhoff-Kolff N.V. <2> Cayzer, L.W. & Chandler, G.T. (2018). Pittosporum ridleyi (Pittosporaceae), a new name for the ‘rusty-leaved’ pittosporum in Malaysia. Garden's Bulletin Singapore 70(2): 397-404. <3> Ridley, H.N. et. al (1922). The flora of Malay Peninsula, vol. 1. London: L. Reeve & Co., Ltd. pp. 136. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34477 |
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| Species ID | 8890 |
| 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. |
