PLANT LOCATION
CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m)) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Plant Shape | Tiered |
Maximum Height | 35 m |
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 20 m |
BIOGEOGRAPHY
Native Distribution | From tropical Asia to North Australia and Polynesia |
Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest, Sandy Beach, Rocky Beach) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
DESCRIPTION AND ETHNOBOTANY
Growth Form | It is a pagoda-shaped tree that can grow up to 35 m, and will shed its leaves twice a year. Its leaves are clustered at the end of the twigs. |
Trunk | The trunk is often buttressed, with grey bark that is slightly fissured. |
Foliage | Each leaf is reverse-egg-shaped, 8–38 cm long by 5–19 cm wide, with 6–12 pairs of veins arising from the main vein of the leaf, and a pair of glands at the base of the leaf. |
Flowers | The flowers are fragrant, white to whitish green, small, 0.5 cm across, and occur on numerous-flowered, 8–16 cm long flower shoots that are inserted at the leaf axils. |
Fruit | It produces fruits with a stony core that are green when unripe, yellow or red when ripe, flattened-egg-shaped, 3.5–7 wide long by 2–5.5 cm wide. 2 narrow wings, up to 3 mm wide, can be found along the side of the fruit. Each fruit contains 1 seed. |
Associated Fauna | The fruits are attractive to bats which also help with seed dispersal. |
Etymology | Terminalia, in Latin, refers to the plant’s leaves that are clustered at the end of end of the twigs, The name catappa is derived from its Malay name, ketapang. |
LANDSCAPING FEATURES
Landscaping | It is suitable as a roadside tree, as it is a coastal plant, which can tolerate hot sun, dry and high wind conditions. It is attractive as its plant shape is similar to a pagoda, and its leaves will turn red before falling. |
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
Landscape Uses | Coastal, Roadside Tree / Palm, General, Parks & Gardens, Beachfront / Shoreline |
FAUNA, POLLINATION AND DISPERSAL
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bat Food |
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna), Abiotic |
PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
FOLIAR
Foliage Retention | Drought / Semi-Deciduous |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery, Leathery, Thin |
FLORAL (ANGIOSPERM)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual & Bisexual Flowers(Sub-dioecious) |
Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
OTHERS
Master ID | 1888 |
Species ID | 3181 |
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. |
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