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Gironniera nervosa Planch.
| Family Name: | Cannabaceae |
| Common Name: | Kasap, Common Rough-Laurel, Hampas Tebu, Medang Berbulu, Medang Hampas Tebu, Medang Hitam, Medang Kasap, Medang Merpoi, Medang Tarah, Mesekam, Tangisan Burung, Tapis, Tarah |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 40 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, the Moluccas, and New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree that can grow up to 40 m tall, and with branches that are covered by short, brown hairs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have thickly leathery leaf blades that are rigid, elliptic-lance-shaped to elliptic-oblong, 6–29 by 2.5–13 cm, with asymmetrical bases, and prominent secondary veins. The leaf blades are also generally hairless above, and densely covered with soft, silky and slender yellowish-brown hairs below. |
| Flowers | It produces unisexual flowers. Its flowering clusters have only male or female flowers, and are inserted at the leaf axils. Its male flowering clusters are up to 8 cm long, and each bears 20–100 flowers. Its male flowers are 1–2 mm across. Its female flowering clusters are up to 6 cm long, and each bears 2–25 flowers. Its female flowers are 2–3 by 1.5–2 mm. |
| Fruit | Its fruiting clusters develop at the leaf axils, contain 2–8 fruits, and are up to 3 cm long. Its fruits are drupes, partially round or egg-shaped, short-beaked, hairy, dull orange, and 5–10 by 3–6 by 3–5 mm. |
| Habitat | It grows as an understorey tree in lowland, hill to lower montane forests, to 1400 m altitude, although usually found below 700 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | Its fruits are eaten by birds. It is also the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the butterflies, the grey sailor (Neptis leucoporos cresina), and the purple duke (Eulaceura osteria kumana). |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Gironniera, after Gironnier, a French citizen (1840); Latin nervosa, with well-developed or conspicuous nerves, referring to the prominent secondary veins of the leaf blades of this species |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: Its wood is used to build houses. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks or large gardens under the shade of trees. The plant has attractive flowers and leaves. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting, Caterpillar Food Plant (Leaves, Associated with: Neptis leucoporos, Eulaceura osteria) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Leathery, Thick |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong, Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Base | Oblique / Asymmetrical |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1641 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2934 |
| 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. |
