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Filicium decipiens
| Family Name: | Sapindaceae |
| Common Name: | Fern Tree, Fern-leaf Tree, Kiora Payung |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Maximum Height | 30 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Comoro Islands, India and Sri Lanka |
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| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree, up to 30 m tall with smooth whitish bark. |
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| Foliage | Leaves are glossy, alternately arranged, with 5-10 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are lanceolate to linear or narrowly oblong – elliptic (5 – 16 cm long and 0.5 – 4 cm wide) with entire yet curled wavy margin. There are about 30 – 50 pairs of tertiary venation present but faint. Petiole is about 1.5 – 11 cm long and winged. Rachis is about 15 – 30 cm long and winged on both sides (up to 1 cm wide). |
| Flowers | Inflorescence often occurs axillary and is narrowly paniculate (6 – 20 cm long). Inflorescence comprises of both male and female flowers, which appears to be separated in time. Both male and female flowers have 5 sepals and 5 yellow petals (1.3 mm long). Male flowers have 5 protruding stamens and rudimentary ovary, while female flowers have non-protruding stamens, unopened anthers and globose ovary which is covered in dense white hairs. Ovary has 2 ovules but usually only one developing. |
| Fruit | Fruit is elliptical or drupe shaped (about 10 mm long and 6 – 8 mm wide) with persistent stype and reflexed sepals. Fruit turns shiny purple when mature and contains one seed within. |
| Habitat | It is found in forest near river valleys, up to 1600 m altitude. |
| Etymology | The genus Filicium comes from the Latin filix meaning fern. It refers to the foliage of the tree resembling fern fronds. The species epithet decipiens means "deceptive", alluding to the deceptive nature of the leaves in resembling fern fronds. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
References
| References | Adema, F., Leenhouts, P.W & van Welzen, P.C. 1994. Sapindaceae. Flora Malesiana Series I. 11 (3). 419 – 768 Davies, F.G & Verdcourt, B.. 1998. Flora of Tropical East Africa - Sapindaceae. CRC Press. 552 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1625 |
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| Species ID | 2918 |
| 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. |