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Andira inermis (W.Wright) Kunth ex DC.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Brown Heart, Cabbage Tree, Bastard Mahogany, Bay Seed, Cabbage Bark, Crown Heart, Partridge Wood, Pig's Turd, Angelin, River Almond |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 35 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small deciduous tree with a columnar, pyramidal or spreading crown. It typically grows up to 15 m tall, but has been observed to reach 35 m in the wild. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Trunk is typically straight and short with buttresses that can reach 3 m tall. The scaly, fissured bark has a pungent odour similar to cabbage. |
| Foliage | Dark green, shiny leaves are pinnately compound (15 - 40 cm long) and composed of 7 - 17 oval leaflets. Young foliage is light tan in colour. Leaf arrangement is alternate. |
| Flowers | Dark pink to purplish-red flowers are small and bell-shaped. Large, branched infloresences are known as panicles. Flowering is often preceded by leaf drop and flushes of new growth. |
| Fruit | Dark green fruits are 1-seeded pods (4 - 8 cm long, 3 - 5 cm wide). Fruits are smooth and oval-shaped. Seeds are dispersed by fruit-eating bats. |
| Cultivation | This species grows best in well-drained sandy soil, but it also tolerates clay soils with poor drainage. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb and Spice) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1418 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2711 |
| 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. |