Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree up to 15 m tall, with a round crown. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, long-stalked leaves have leaf blades that are 18–36 cm long, with narrowed bases. Its new leaves also have leaf blades that are pale-green with a slight purple tinge. |
| Flowers | Its small flowers are yellowish-green, found in clusters that are 7.5–20 cm long on branches and sometimes the trunk. Its female flowers are shorter than the male ones. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are faintly 3-grooved, and 25–64 mm-wide berries. They are either oblong with 1–2 seeds, or round and somewhat apple-shaped with 3–6 seeds. The outer covering of its fruits are dull brownish-grey or reddish-brown grey. They are found singly, or in bunches of 2–4 at the end of strings up to 20 cm long. Its seeds are embedded in sour-sweet pulp that changes from cream-white and opaque to translucent when the fruit ripens. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are consumed by mammals which disperse the seeds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin bacca, berry; Latin aurea, golden so named from the golden colour of the berries; Latin macrocapra, large-fruited, referring to the plant’s large fruits |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit & Vegetable) Others: The sour-sweet fruit pulp is edible. The durable and strong timber may be used in construction. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29283 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3592 |
| 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. |
