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Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F.Muell.) Benth.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Common Name: | Golden Penda, Golden Myrtle, Black Penda, 金蒲桃, 黄花树 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Oval |
| Maximum Height | 8 m to 40 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Tropical tree, 8 - 12 m in height under cultivation, but up to 40 m in its native environment. Lance-shaped leaves, 8 - 20 cm x 1.5 - 5 cm, arranged spirally, dark green and leathery. Young flushes appear bronze-red. Flowers bright yellow and bisexual with 5 petals attached to rim of calyx. Yellow stamens about 3 cm, surround centrally located style that is 3 - 4 cm long. Fruits are capsules, turn from green to brown upon maturation. Seeds are dispersed by explosive action. Propagated via seeds or stem cuttings, relatively easy to grow, fast growing and low maintenance. Flowering believed to be induced by sudden drop in temperature and can begin 2 - 3 years after been grown from seeds.Genus name derived from Greek ‘xantho’ and Latin ‘stamen’, meaning yellow thread. Species epithet refers to gold and flower, derived from Greek words ‘khrusos’ and ‘anthos’.Introduced to Singapore in 1982 from Cairns, Australia, where it is the flora emblem. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting, Butterfly Food Plant, Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ), Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Bark Texture | Scaly, Smooth |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1907 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3200 |
| 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. |
