Scientific Name : Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre
Common Name : Yanmin
Chinese Name : 人面子, 銀蓮果
Family : ANACARDIACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species
| Origin | South-Central and Southeast China, Myanmar and Vietnam. |
|---|---|
| Meanings of names | The generic name Dracontomelon is a blend of the Latin words drakon and melon, collectively delineating its melon-like fruits. The common name ‘Yanmin’ can be directly translated into ‘人面’ in Chinese, referring to its endocarp with pores akin to a human face. |
| Vitality | Yanmin is moderately tolerant to drought, dampness, strong wind, pests and pollutants. |
| Application |
Yanmin has been exploited for multiple medicinal functions with its fruits, roots and leaves. The fruits are the primary ingredient of a traditional Chinese medicine Ren mian zi; it can effectively invigorate spleen and promote detoxification. The root barks are collected for the root of Indochina Gragonplum for treating skin diseases. The leaves are processed into leaf of Indochina Gragonplum for treating furunculosis. Apart from medicinal versatility, the fruits are esculent and often processed into pickled fruits and Chinese gooseberry sauce for seasoning. The heartwood is dense, shiny and durable, with notable rot-resistant ability; therefore, it is highly yearned for making furniture and constructions. The extracted seed oil can be processed into soap and lubricant. By virtue of its lofty height, ornamental trees and handsome tree crown in rounded shape, the tree is often planted as a shade in parks and gardens. |
| Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs) | In Hong Kong, 3 of Yanmin are registered as OVTs, located in Yuen Long Park and Mui Shue Hang, respectively. Yanmin in Mui Shue Hang (LANDSD TP/2) is currently considered as the largest, measured with DBH at 1274 mm, height at 28 m and crown spread at 27 m. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen Tree. |
|---|---|
| Height | To 25 m. |
| Root | Buttressed. |
| Stem | Bark smooth, greyish white or greenish yellow, peeling off in flakes. Branchlets striate and minutely grey tomentose. |
| Leaves | Imparipinnately compound, alternate, leaflets 11-17 alternate. Blade subleathery, minutely pubescent along midvein on both surfaces, abaxially white tufts at vein axils, blade oblong to oblong lanceolate, margin entire, prominently reticulate. |
| Flower | Hermaphroditic. Panicles terminal. Calyx greyish pubescent, flowers white. |
| Fruit | Drupes green to yellow when mature, endocarp compressed, with 4-5 pores at apex. |
| Flowering period | April to May in Hong Kong. |
| Fruiting period | June to November in Hong Kong. |
Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=3718
Scientific names from other databases:
― Flora of China: Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre
― Plant of the World Online: Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre