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Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana

Family Name:	Passifloraceae
Synonyms:	Passiflora singaporiana
Common Name:	Large-leafed Adenia, Singapore Adenia, Singapore Passion Flower, 大叶蒴莲

Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana, commonly known as Singapore Adenia is a slender vine that uses tendrils to climb tall trees. A native from Singapore, it has attractive shiny red fruit, making this plant suitable to be planted on trellises in parks and gardens. This climber is also a locally preferred host plant for Malay Lacewing Butterfly (Cethosia hypsea hypsina).

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Butterfly Host Plant

Native to Singapore

Climber

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Irregular
Maximum Height	25 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Peninsular Malaysia (Johor), Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Slender woody vine, climbing with tendrils borne from flower-bearing branches, reaching up to 25m height with support. Typically spreading widely amongst tree crowns, but main plant usually difficult to spot, unless when flowering.
Foliage	Its alternate, stalked leaves have thickly leathery blades that are usually oblong to lanceolate-shaped, and 5–15 by 1.8–8 cm, with two spoon-shaped glands at either side of the base, whitish green on the underside of the leaves. Leaf tip acute to acuminate, leaf base acute to rounded,
Flowers	Flowers are unisexual. Flowers of both sexes are yellow, tubular, less than 1 cm wide, and arranged in hanging clusters. Male inflorescence has up to 150 flowers, while female inflorescence has 2 - 10 flowers.

Fruit	Its shiny red fruit is capsule-shaped, about 5 cm long, and splits along three lines from the apex to reveal 15–40 seeds each. Its seeds are blackish when mature, flat and round. Each seed is also surrounded in white fleshy pulp, and suspended by pink threads.
Habitat	It grows on trees in forests and along forest edges.
Associated Fauna	Locally preferred host / food plant for Cethosia hypsea hypsina (Malay Lacewing Butterfly), which lays its eggs on undersides of leaves, and on stems or tendrils.
Taxonomy	Earlier publication has spelling of Passiflora singaporiana (Source: A General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants, 3:55, desc. 1834) in the explanation for this plant. Key principles of the Code gives priority to the earliest available name. Therefore, the accepted name is Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana.
Cultivation	Fast growing. Best propagated by seeds (which germinate easily) or by cuttings. Cut surfaces should be handled with caution, as Adenia genus (especially caudiciform types) is known to contain toxic sap, which is poisonous if ingested by vetebrates, and may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Etymology	Genus epithet Adenia derived from Aden, a small seaport near the Red Sea, from which the type species originated. Species epithet macrophylla means 'big leaf', a reference to the plant's relatively large leaves.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is suitable for planting on trellis in parks and gardens for its attractive red fruits.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Seeds
Landscape Uses	Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola

Thematic Landscaping	Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment
Usage Hazard - Cons	Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks	Plant sap contains cyanogenic compounds & lectins, toxic to vetebrates when ingested, & may cause skin irritation when handled.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Butterfly Host Plant
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Moderate
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting
Propagule Establishment Remarks	Seeds germinate easily.

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery, Thick

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Cuneate
Typical Foliar Area	Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody, Herbaceous
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s)	Green, Yellow / Golden

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Axillary
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Tubular
Flower Size - Remarks	Male & female flowers less than 1cm across.
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Seed Description

6 - 9 mm

References

References	<1> Kiew, R. et al. (eds.) (2018). Flora of peninsular Malaysia. Series II: Seed Plants. volume 7. Malayan Forest Records 49: 1-321.

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Master ID	1
Species ID	1297
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 19 July 2024.