GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FLOWERING OF <em>XANTHOSTEMON</em> <em>CHRYSANTHUS</em> AT TWO URBAN SITES IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Abstract

AHMAD NAZARUDIN MR, TSAN FY, NORMANIZA O & ADZMI Y. 2014. Growth performance and flowering of Xanthostemon chrysanthus at two urban sites in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A study was conducted to investigate the growth performance and flowering of Xanthostemon chrysantus at two urban sites, namely, Metropolitan Batu Park (MBP) and Pusat Bandar Manjalara (PBM). Soil physical and chemical properties of the sites were inspected. Growth attributes such as tree height, diameter at breast height, canopy diameter, leaf area, leaf area index and relative chlorophyll content were recorded monthly. Flowering occurrence was scored as abundance of flowers. Differences in diameter at breast height and canopy diameter at both sites were observed throughout the study period. Tree height and relative chlorophyll content had no variations. Leaf area and leaf area index only differed for several months when higher amounts of rainfall were received. On the other hand, flower abundance was significantly different in December 2010, July 2011 and August 2011. Trees at PBM flowered throughout the year, unlike trees at MBP. Soil properties, rainfall and individual tree condition (vegetative or flowering phase) may cause variations in growth and flowering of the species. The results showed that X. chrysanthus was suitable for urban landscape as it was able to tolerate the harsh urban environment.