Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, IIUM
Malay Cherry; Johor Tree; Ceri Terengganu; Perupok
Botanical Name: Garcinia Nigrolineata
Genus: Lepisanthes
Family: Sapindaceae
Native: Johor; Terengganu;
Descriptions
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Malay Cherry, Ceri Terengganu, or Perupok, scientifically known as Lepisanthes Alata is a medium-sized shade tree that can grow up to 10 meters. This species originated from South East Asia and is often used as ornamental plants in garden landscapes. Perupok is widely distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo and the Philippines. Perupok is also commonly known as Pokok Johor or Terengganu cherry. In Java, this tree is known as Belimbing Cina. Perupok is a very attractive tree with its young leaves or shoots of pale purple as well as purple flowers.
The mature leaves of Malay Cherry are green with 8 to 12 leaflets, with inflorescences up to 55 cm long. Ceri Terengganu is not very commonly cultivated thus it can be categorized as a rare fruit tree. The flowers and fruits do not have specific seasons but can occur throughout the year. The fruit is a globose berry, arranged closely and attractively in big bunches formed by clusters containing about 20 fruits per cluster, 2cm to 3cm diameter, deep red, shiny, with a pointed tip.
The flesh of the fruit tastes sweet but a little tart with 1 to 3 seeds in a fruit. Although Perupok tree bears edible fruits which are also offered for sale, it is more often planted for ornamental purposes. As the fruits of Malay Cherry are eaten by birds, it can be planted to attract birds to frequent our gardens. Lepisanthes Alata belongs to the Sapindaceae family but its conservation status has not been reviewed.
Lepisanthes Alata (Blume) Leenh. Sapindaceae. CN: [Pokok Johor, Perupok, Belimbing cina, Engkilili], Johore tree, Malaysian Lepisanthe. Local name of accession collected in Java was "Pisang Tjina". Native to Malesia (Indonesia - Kalimantan; Malaysia - Johore (suspected introduced for cultivation), Sabah, Sarawak); naturalized in Java and elsewhere cultivated for its sweet edible fruits. Treelet up to ca 10 m tall, monoecious; leaf-like stipules, leaves the compound, leaflets 8-12, purple in the beginning but green at maturity; inflorescences up to ca 50 cm long, flowers purple; fruit a globose berry, ripening deep red to purple.
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