Tembusu Cyrtophyllum fragrans
Tembusu (Cyrtophyllum fragrans) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Gentianaceae family, native to NE India to Indochina and Malesia, including Singapore (forest edges, swamp margins). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 8–14 m (26–46 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 9 m (30 ft) apart.
Plan Tembusu in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Tembusu at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Gentianaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–14 m (26–46 ft) |
| Spacing | 9 m (30 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | NE India to Indochina and Malesia, including Singapore (forest edges, swamp margins) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Tembusu toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
No toxicity reported; the small berries are very bitter and eaten by birds and bats.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tembusu
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Tembusu in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (2 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (1 plants)
Questions about Tembusu
- How far apart should I plant Tembusu?
- About 9 m (30 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–14 m (26–46 ft).
- Does Tembusu need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tembusu need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Tembusu?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Tembusu flower?
- From about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tembusu poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported; the small berries are very bitter and eaten by birds and bats.
- What grows well with Tembusu?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tembusu. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: Rainforest, National Orchid Garden, Ginger Garden, Learning Forest, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- Deeply fissured bark and a tall, conical-to-irregular crown; creamy flowers turning yellow, strongly scented at dusk, usually twice a year. The Tembusu on Lawn E at the Singapore Botanic Gardens is on the $5 note.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stemless gentian Gentiana acaulis
- Spring gentian Gentiana verna
- Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) Gentiana sino-ornata
- Great yellow gentian Gentiana lutea
- Willow gentian Gentiana asclepiadea
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra