COLOURS OF FRIM

Amesiodendron chinense in “spring flush”

Amesiodendron chinense is a moderately fast growing tree with a dense and hemispherical crown. This species belongs to the Sapindaceae or the rambutan family. In the wild, it is found sporadically in valleys of hill dipterocarp forests between 300 – 400 m a.s.l., in the northern half of Peninsular Malaysia, including Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. Worldwide, it is distributed from South China through Indo-China to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.

Like many other tree species that are considered as northern mainland Asia plant elements, the tree sends out new flushes at the beginning of the year. To see this colourful “spring flush”, head towards the road between the FRIM’s football field and Unit Latihan Perhutanan. The bright pink flushes stand out among the mature, deep green leaves of other nearby trees. Its attractive flushes and its compact, rounded crown, definitely add interest to our mostly evergreen suburban landscape.

The young leaves flushes are bright pink. Daun-daun muda berwarna merah jambu terang.

The young leaves flushes are bright pink.
Amesiodendron chinense is a moderate fast growing tree with a dense and hemispherical crown . Amesiodendron chinense ialah pokok yang sederhana tumbesarannya, bersilara bulat dan berdaun lebat.

Amesiodendron chinense is a moderate fast growing tree with a dense and hemispherical crown .
Amesiodendron chinense flowered in early May 2012. Amesiodendron chinense telah berbunga pada awal bulan Mei 2012.

Amesiodendron chinense flowered in early May 2012.
The genus is distinct from others members of the Sapindaceae from Peninsular Malaysia, due to the combination of toothed or saw-like leaflet margin and the evenly pinnate leaflets, terminated by a pair of opposite leaflets. Genus ini berbeza dengan famili Sapindaceae lain di Semenanjung Malaysia kerana terdapat gabungan margin garisan tepi anak daunnya yang bergerigi seperti gergaji, serta anak-anak daun yang meruncing dan pada bahagian hujungnya diakhiri sepasang anak daun yang bersetentangan.

The genus is distinct from others members of the Sapindaceae from Peninsular Malaysia, due to the combination of toothed or saw-like leaflet margin and the evenly pinnate leaflets, terminated by a pair of opposite leaflets.