Characteristics of Premna Bonsai Tree (Premna serratifolia)
Premna serratifolia is a flowering tree in the Lamiaceae family. This tree was first described in 1771, and today the genus Premna has about 100-200 different species, which are distributed on average in tropical Asia.
Over time, Premna has spread widely to various tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, northern Australia, islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.
There are several recognized synonyms for Premna serratifolia in scientific journals, they include:
- Premna corymbosa
- Premna integrifolia
- Premna obtusifolia
In China, this tree is called 伞序臭黄荆, in Japan タイワンウオクサギ, and in Indonesia it is known as Sancang. In English speaking countries this may be known generically as Premna or Premna Bonsai Tree.
Premna serratifolia is easy to recognize in the wild, there are several differences from other tree species that have similar leaves. For more details, please pay attention to the characteristics below.
Characteristics of Premna serratifolia Leaves
The leaves are simple, ovate, 8-15 cm long and 7-12 cm wide. They emit an unpleasant odor when approached or squeezed.
Premna serratifolia leaves can shrink many times if they are trimmed continuously, and the smallest ones are about the size of the tip of a fingernail. Such a small size can last forever while still being trimmed regularly. This is what makes it suitable for use as a bonsai or penjing tree.
Characteristics of Premna serratifolia Flowers
The flowers are small, clustered, stalked, yellowish-white or greenish in color, and appear at the ends of branches throughout the year.
The flowers invite various types of insects to swarm around it.
Characteristics of Premna serratifolia Fruit
The fruit is round, small, clustered, green when young and purple to black when ripe. The fruit appears more often in the dry season than in the rainy season. While this is not certain, it depends on where it is grown and environmental conditions.
Characteristics of Premna serratifolia Tree
Premna serratifolia grows as an open shrub to a height of 7 meters in the wild and a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. This tree likes slightly damp areas, but requires full sun for optimal growth. In the wild, it can be found throughout much of coastal Southeast Asia, mixed with other shrubs such as Pemphis acidula or growing alone.
In Asia, Premna serratifolia is more popular as a bonsai subject than as an ornamental shrub or hedge tree. In addition, this tree is also favored by bonsai artists because of its twisted trunk texture, low growth, and white or grayish-white wrinkled bark. Its shallow roots, very fast growth, and easy maintenance are also other reasons Premna serratifolia was chosen as the best type of bonsai tree.
The characteristics of the Premna serratifolia tree that are easiest to recognize if you see it for the first time are its leaves that smell bad and the flowers or fruits clustered at the ends of the branches.
Example of the Premna serratifolia Bonsai
There are many classy bonsai made using this tree, some of which are probably very popular on the internet, social media groups, and even bonsai exhibitions. Here are some of them:
Besides being able to make medium to large sized bonsai, Premna serratifolia can also be made into a mini bonsai called Mame Bonsai thanks to its super small leaves.
Benefits of Premna serratifolia
Premna serratifolia is widely used in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda. Studies on wood and its roots led to the isolation of actioside and glucoside derivatives. Root bark shows biological activity and has been shown to contain cytotoxic diterpenes and strong antioxidants.
In Vietnam, Premna serratifolia leaves are called lá cách, and are used to cook stewed or stir-fried dishes with chicken, eel, or frog.
How to Cultivating Premna serratifolia
Propagation of Premna serratifolia can be done by grafting and cuttings. Cuttings is the most commonly used method because the tree grows relatively quickly, especially when planted in nutrient-rich soil.
In Indonesia, Premna serratifolia is widely cultivated by bonsai nurseries where from the results of one large tree can produce tens or even hundreds of ready-made seedlings in less than one year. This proves that the growth of Premna serratifolia is very fast.
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