Crataeva unilocularis

Crataeva unilocularis

Common names: Spider tree, Gold-and-silver tree 魚木(樹頭菜)

General Description

Leaf

Size 8~12 x 3.5~5cm

Length of leave stalk 7~11cm

Alternate, compound (trifoliate) leaves, the leaves clustered toward the ends of the branches.
Leaflet’s apex is narrowing to a fine point, base is obtuse, the three leaflets with very shortly and equally stalked.

Flower

Size 6~9cm

Stamen 8~12cm

Sex bisexual or unisexual

Colour first white later change to yellow

Flowering period Spring or early Summer, at much the same time as the new leaves are expanding

Flowers are found in clusters at the ends of branches.

They are regular, with 4 short sepals.

4 petals, with more blade and a slender stalk open widely, later.

Filaments and anthers are red or pink, the latter fragile, falling before the other floral parts leaving the antherless filaments behind.

Ovary is very superior, borne on a long (to 7 cm) slender stalk, longer than the stamens, one-celled, with many ovules, topped by a short stigma.

Fruit

Size 6cm long

Fruit is a berry, seldom developing seeds in Hong Kong.

Trunk

Additional information

Height of the tree 15m

pH value of the soil 5~6

Remarks A handsome flowering tree, native to tropical Asia, planted extensively in Hong Kong as a street and roadside tree on account of its abundance of flowers and its wide spreading crown.
Grows at any altitude, prefers a sunny, sheltered position and withstands wind quite well.

Size	8~12 x 3.5~5cm
Length of leave stalk	7~11cm
Alternate, compound (trifoliate) leaves, the leaves clustered toward the ends of the branches. Leaflet’s apex is narrowing to a fine point, base is obtuse, the three leaflets with very shortly and equally stalked.

Size	6~9cm
Stamen	8~12cm
Sex	bisexual or unisexual
Colour	first white later change to yellow
Flowering period	Spring or early Summer, at much the same time as the new leaves are expanding
Flowers are found in clusters at the ends of branches. They are regular, with 4 short sepals. 4 petals, with more blade and a slender stalk open widely, later. Filaments and anthers are red or pink, the latter fragile, falling before the other floral parts leaving the antherless filaments behind. Ovary is very superior, borne on a long (to 7 cm) slender stalk, longer than the stamens, one-celled, with many ovules, topped by a short stigma.

Size	6cm long
Fruit is a berry, seldom developing seeds in Hong Kong.

Height of the tree	15m
pH value of the soil	5~6
Remarks	A handsome flowering tree, native to tropical Asia, planted extensively in Hong Kong as a street and roadside tree on account of its abundance of flowers and its wide spreading crown. Grows at any altitude, prefers a sunny, sheltered position and withstands wind quite well.