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Suregada multiflora (A. Juss.) Baill.
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Gelonium fasciculatum Roxb., Gelonium multiflorum A. Juss., Gelonium tenuifolium Ridl. |
| Common Name: | False Lime, Limau Hantu, Merlimau, Buah Punai Mengantuk, Ruas-ruas, 白树 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Conical, Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 3 m to 15 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 2 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | From South China and India to Peninsular Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Monsoon Forest, Coastal Forest, Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree or big shrub, 2 - 15 m tall, with neat appearance. Strong apical dominance, resulting in prominent conical crown, especially when young. Branches spiral along trunk and stems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are dark green, oval, and 5–16 by 3–8 cm. Each leaf has 5–9 pairs of secondary vein. Leaves turn orange before dropping. |
| Flowers | Flowers small, 0.8–1.2 cm in diameter, creamy-white, slightly fragrant, produced in leaf-opposed inflorescences. Flowers are either male or female but not both (dioecious). |
| Fruit | Its fruit is a capsule that somewhat round or slightly 3-lobed, reddish-orange when ripe to reveal its seeds. Fruits resemble small limes, 2.5-3.5 cm by 2-2.5 cm, hence plant's common name 'False Lime. Each fruit contains 3 black seeds that are covered by a succulent white flesh. |
| Habitat | Occurs in deciduous, mixed or evergreen forest, from sea-level up to 500 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects. The seeds are probably dispersed by birds. |
| Taxonomy | Plants in forests or natural areas of Singapore thought to be Suregada multiflora are now known to be Suregada glomerulata. However, cultivated plants of Suregada multiflora in Singapore are indeed Suregada multiflora. <1> |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin, Suregada derived from an Indian name; Latin multiflora, many flowers, referring to numerous flowers produced along the axils of the plant in the species |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: It possess useful phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties, utilised in traditional medicine for various pathologies. Laboratory studies have showed presence of bioactive compounds which are of interest for the official pharmacopoeia. Timber & Products: It is cultivated as an ornamental, harvested as timber to be used as rafters and firewood. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting along streetscapes, in parks and gardens, and also in coastal areas. Orange dehiscent leaves and mature fruits make plant an attractive candidate for golden-themed gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day), Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Coastal, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Modification | Stipule |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Grey-yellow to grey-brown |
| Mature Bark Texture | Smooth |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 0.4 - 0.6 cm |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
References
| References | <1> Lindsay, S. et al. (2022). Flora of Singapore: Checklist and bibliography. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 74(Suppl. 1): 3–860. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1856 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3149 |
| 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. |
