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Dacrydium elatum

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Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.) Wall. ex Hook.

Family Name: Podocarpaceae
Synonyms: Dacrydium beccarii var. subelatum Corner, Dacrydium pierrii Hickel, Dacrydium junghuhnii Miq., Juniperus elata Roxb.
 
Common Name: Sempilor, Hoàng dàn giå, 泪柏, 陆均松

Dacrydium elatum, also known as Sempilor, is a coniferous tree. Standing at 40 m tall, the leaves are ornamental and dimorphic. Juvenile leaves are awl-shaped while adult leaves are scale-like.

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Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Gymnosperms (Non-Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 40 m
Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter 1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution It is found in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree, 8 – 40 m tall, with trunk about 0.1 – 1 m wide, billowy dome-shaped crown and brown bark.
Foliage The leaves are dimorphic. Juvenile leaves are awl-shaped (14 mm long and 0.3 mm wide), spreading and curved forward. Adult leaves are scale-like, triangular (1 – 1.5 mm long and 0.4 – 0.6 mm wide) and sharply keeled on the outside. Juvenile shoots are sometimes mixed with adult shoots thus giving a false impression that the leaves change abruptly as the tree matures.
Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant The male cones produce pollens and occurs singly at the terminal end. They are 4 – 8 mm long and 1 – 1.2mm in diameter. The female cones produce seeds, and occurs singly or in small clusters. They are subtended by a scaly stalk. The seed is ovoid and solitary, about 4 – 4.5 mm long and 3 mm wide. One-third of the base is covered by a swollen appendage of the ‘seed’ scale complex (epimatium).
Habitat It is found in rainforest, up to 1700 m altitude.
Cultivation It remains sterile under local condition.
Etymology The genus, in Greek, means little tear, with reference to the exudation of small resin droplets. The specific epithet, in Latin, means tall, with reference to the tall stature of the tree.
Ethnobotanical Uses Timber & Products: The wood is yellowish with fine grain and slightly scented. Resistant to bending and pressing, the timber is used for construction, building boats and ships, and furniture making. The wood contains essential oil which can be distilled and used for medicinal purpose.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils

References

References de Laubenfels, D.J. (1988). Coniferales. In C.G.G.J. van (ed.), Flora Malesiana. Series 1 Vol. 10. Pp. 337–453. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 
Hoang, V. S., Khamseng, N. & Kessler, P.J.A. (2004). Trees of Laos and Vietnam: a field guide to 100 economically or ecologically important species. Blumea 49: 201–349
Keng, H. (1990). The Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons, p. 48. Singapore: Singapore University Press.
 

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Master ID 33237
Species ID 7651
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: 31 August 2021.
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