Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous climber. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are heart-shaped, 7–17 by 5.5–14 cm, with entire or toothed margins. |
| Flowers | Its branched, stalked flowering clusters consist of spikes that are up to 16 cm long. Each spike bears stalkless flowers that are about 1 mm wide. The flowering cluster develops opposite a leaf at the same node on the stem. |
| Fruit | Its 2-seeded fruits are round berries and about 8 mm wide. |
| Habitat | It grows on the fringes of lowland dipterocarp forests. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects, and fruits are dispersed by birds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated from stem cuttings or seeds. |
| Etymology | Greek ampelos, vine; Greek kissos, ivy, referring to its resemblance to the genus Cissus; Latin scend, climbing; Latin flora, flower, referring to the growth form of this species |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and gardens, growing on trellises and pergolas. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Brown |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Serrate / Toothed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 14 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1310 |
| 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. |
