Sains Malaysiana 47(2)(2018): 227-233

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4702-03

Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Behaviour of Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F. Muell.) Benth. -  An Ornamental Tree in Malaysia

(Kelakuan Pertumbuhan Vegetatif dan Reproduktif Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F. Muell.) Benth. - Pokok Hiasan di Malaysia)

Ahmad Nazarudin, M.R.^1* & Tsan, F.Y.²

¹Forestry and Environment Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

52109 Kepong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Received: 11 October 2016/Accepted: 11 August 2017

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to investigate the duration of growth stages and flowering behaviour of a landscape tree, Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F. Muell.) Benth. This species is known as golden penda and locally known as jambu kuning. It is widely planted for urban beautification due to its distinctive coloured flowers. Under local climate condition, this species flowers throughout the year. However, the flowering of this species has not been studied extensively. In the present study, the growth of selected trees aged approximately six years after planting was monitored for a year. The growth duration was determined using the extended Biologishe Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemical Industry (BBCH) scale. Percentages of flower and fruit and new leaf abundances were expressed as estimated percentage of each stage as compared to total surface area of the tree crown. The vegetative and reproductive stages of the species required 198 and 176 days, respectively. The flowering period took about 40 days from inflorescence bud swelling to drying and senescence of stamens and petals. Unsynchronized flowering was observed among the trees. The occurrence of flowers was also influenced by the development of new leaves or fruits. The information on the duration of each growth stage and the flowering behaviour of the species may enhance a more detailed study related to flowering of urban trees in Malaysia.

Keywords: Flowering behaviour; growth stages; ornamental tree; urban landscape; Xanthostemon chrysanthus

ABSTRAK

Satu kajian telah dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti jangka masa peringkat pertumbuhan dan  kelakuan pembungaan pokok landskap, Xanthostemon chrysanthus (F. Muell.) Benth. Pokok ini juga dipanggil sebagai 'golden penda' dan dikenali masyarakat tempatan sebagai jambu kuning. Ia banyak ditanam untuk mengindahkan kawasan bandar kerana warna bunganya yang cantik. Di bawah keadaan iklim tempatan, pokok ini berbunga sepanjang tahun. Walau bagaimanapun, pembungaannya tidak pernah dikaji secara terperinci. Dalam kajian ini, pertumbuhan pokok terpilih yang berusia lebih kurang enam tahun selepas ditanam telah dipantau selama setahun. Jangka masa pertumbuhannya ditentukan dengan menggunakan skala 'Biologishe Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemical Industry' (BBCH). Peratus kelimpahan bunga, buah dan daun baharu dianggarkan dengan membandingkan jumlah setiap peringkat pertumbuhan tersebut dengan keseluruhan permukaan silara pokok. Peringkat vegetatif dan reproduktif spesies ini masing-masing mengambil masa sehingga 198 dan 176 hari. Jangka masa pembungaan pula ialah 40 hari dari putik bunga berkembang hingga kepada stamen dan kelopak bunga kering dan seterusnya mengalami penuaan. Pembungaan berlaku secara tidak serentak di antara pokok-pokok yang dipantau. Kewujudan bunga turut dipengaruhi oleh pertumbuhan dedaun baharu atau buah. Jangka masa setiap peringkat pertumbuhan yang direkodkan dan kelakuan pembungaan spesies ini boleh menggalakkan kajian yang lebih mendalam terhadap pembungaan pokok-pokok bandaran di Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Kelakuan pembungaan; landskap bandar; peringkat pertumbuhan; pokok hiasan; Xanthostemon chrysanthus

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*Corresponding author; email: nazarudin@frim.gov.my