Kampala Tree and Palm Directory

Tree Species
Common Name
Tree Description
Tree Uses

English: Coastal Premna, Creek Premna, Bastard Guelder, Malbau.

+ Tree Species

Premna serratifolia

+ Tree Family

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

+ Ecology

Creek premna is native to Tropical Asia (including Singapore) to the Southwest Pacific. Its habitat is usually forest regrowth, brushwood and hedges, often near the sea as well as mixed and open forests on mountain slopes and along streams at elevations of 100 - 300 metres. It can be found in the wild on sandy soils and limestone.

+ Description

A much-branched and sometimes spiny shrub or small tree with a low crown and branches that are often procumbent and root into the ground; it can grow up to 10 metres tall.

BARK: grayish brown.

LEAVES: simple, stalked leaves have leaf blades that are elliptic, glossy dark green above, light green below, and 6.4–15.3 by 3.8–10 cm. A foul smell is produced when the leaf blades are crushed.

FLOWERS: greenish-white or white, 2.5 mm wide, and arranged in clusters that are 5–13 cm wide.

FRUIT: 5 mm-wide, round fruits are 1-seeded berries that ripen from light green to shiny black.

+ Uses

Edible: leaves, seeds, fruit. http://www.tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Premna+serratifolia

Medicine: leaves, roots, bark. http://www.tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Premna+serratifolia

Agroforestry: the plant is used locally in hedges.

The bark is used as a binding material.

The leaves and roots are used to perfume coconut oil.

A dye is obtained from the root.

The wood is much used in traditional construction and also for tool and knife handles, implements and paddles.

The wood is used for fuel and also for making fire by friction.

An ornamental tree.

+ Propagation

Seeds, cuttings.

+ Management

Fast growing.

+ Remarks

Creek premna can be planted as an ornamental tree. It is suitable for streetscapes, parks and gardens.



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