Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a woody climber. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are smaller than the more common, yellow-flowered form. Leaf blade is elliptic with wavy leaf margin, they are arranged in whorls along the stems. |
| Stems | Woody and twinning stem. It contains milky sap. |
| Flowers | White, trumpet-shaped flowers occur in small clusters near the stem tips and give off a sweet fragrance at night. This cultivar is free flowering. The flower is 5-lobed. |
| Cultivation | This plant flowers best under full sun. It can be trained to climb on support such as trellis. Occasional pruning is required to promote air circulation to reduce fungal attack on leaves. |
| Etymology | The genus Allamanda is given after Dr. Frederick Allamand. The specific epithet cathartica means cathartic, cleansing, purging which refers to its medicinal purpose in inducing vomiting. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It can be grown as climber on trellis, fence as well as shrub in container planting. Here in tropical area, it is often grown as a hedge. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
| Landscape Uses | General, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna), Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Whorled |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 9 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1305 |
| 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. |
