Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Filicium decipiens Thwaites (SAPINDACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Fern-leaf Tree, Fern Tree, Kiora Payung

Description

Medium-sized evergreen tree to 20 m tall with thick rounded crown. Leaves pinnately compound with 5-10 pairs of leaflets, c. 40 cm long. Flowers in loose clusters in axils of leaves near the apex, small, white with a pink tint. Fruits elliptical, c. 1 cm long, ripening shiny purple.

Ecology

In forest near river valleys, up to 1,600 m altitude.

Distribution

Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Comoro Is., India and Sri Lanka.

Uses

Widley planted as an ornamental for its attractive fern-like foliage.