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Ormocarpum cochinchinense

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Ormocarpum cochinchinense (Lour.) Merr.

Family Name: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonyms: Dalbergia diphaca Pers., Hedysarum sennoides Willdenow, Parkinsonia orientalis Spreng., Ormocarpum orientale (Spreng.) Merr., Ormocarpum glabrum Teijsm. & Binn., Ormocarpum sen­noides (Willdenow) Candolle
Common Name: 链荚木

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Small (6m-15m)), Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 7.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution From tropical Africa, India, southern China, Taiwan, Ryukus, throughout Southeast Asia.
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a shrub or small tree, 2-7.5 m tall.
Foliage Its alternate, stalked, pinnate leaves have 9-20 leaflets, arranged on both sides of the rachis, with a single leaflet at the terminal end. Each leaflet is hairless, papery, about 1.2-5 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide, elliptic, oblong to obovate. The venation is reticulate, with the mid vein thickened and raised.
Stems The young stems are yellowish-brown in colour and hairless, becoming fissured at maturity.
Flowers Its whitish flowers are 1-2.4 cm long, occasionally with red or purple lines on the petals, usually with 10-24 flowers arranged on a short axillary inflorescence.
Fruit Its fruits are smooth linear pods, 5-20 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide, 4-7 jointed.
Habitat It grows in open coastal thickets, up 50 m in elevation.
Associated Flora The flowers are probably insect-pollinated.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Greek ormos, necklace, Greek karpos, fruit, referring to the segmented fruit that resembles a necklace. Latin cochinchinense, of or from Cochinchina (now known as southern Vietnam), referring to the natural distribution of this species

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is suitable for growing along roadsides, parks and in gardens.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water, Little Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Dry Soils / Drought, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Papery, Thin
Foliar Type Compound (Odd-Pinnate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Venation Recticulate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Purple, White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Bilateral

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31245
Species ID 5640
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.
Species record last updated on: 18 April 2023.
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