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Congea tomentosa Roxb.
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Synonyms: | Calochlamys capitata C.Presl, Congea azurea Wall., Congea oblonga Pierre ex Dop, Congea petelotii Moldenke, Congea tomentosa var. nivea Munir, Congea tomentosa var. oblongifolia Schauer, Congea villosa (Roxb.) Voigt, Roscoea villosa Roxb. |
| Common Name: | Wooly Congea, Shower Orchid, White Congea, 绒苞藤, 糊木 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 3 m to 6 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 3 m to 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indian sub-continent (India, Bangladesh), China (Yunan), Indonchina (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam), Malaysia (Kedah) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An evergreen, clambering woody shrub or weak climber, up to 6 m height (with support). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves pale green, papery and velvety. Leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem, and have prominent veins, elliptic to ovate shape. |
| Stems | Stems squarish in cross-section, densely covered with yellowish to grey fuzz. |
| Flowers | Flowers white, tubular, small and inconspicuous, with red stamens; each 5-9 flowered cyme is subtended by 3 woolly silver-white, petal-like bracts (2.5 cm long), resembling propellers. Flowers produced in long sprays throughout the year, may completely cover whole plant, making it look like a white cloud. |
| Fruit | Fruits are dry, one-seeded ovoid drupes. |
| Habitat | Found in mixed forests. |
| Similar | More robust than Congea griffithiana (Pink Shower of Orchid), which produces 3-4 pink to lavender bracts around each flower cluster. |
| Cultivation | Prefers humus-rich, well-drained soils with acidic to neutral pH. Roots of young plants should be shaded. Prune to maintain size and shape, but avoid excessive pruning which inhibits flowering, as flowers are produced from stem tips. May occasionally be affected by scale insects -- control by spraying with white summer soil or malathion. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Congea' is derived from East Indian vernacular name for plant. Species epithet 'tomentosa' means 'covered with fine matted hairs', a reference to the woolly parts of the plant. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cut - Dried Flower: Whole branches with their flowering clusters can be used in floral arrangements. Dried flower bracts are long-lasting. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Can be grown for attractive flowering sprays in large gardens as free-standing, scrambling bush, or as vine with support. Also suitable for silver-themed gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | General |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Pruning | Prune after flowering to contain and shape the plant, but avoid excessive pruning which removes stem tips where flowers are produced. |
| Diseases | May be affected by scale insects. Control by spraying with malathion, white summer soil or dimethoate. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering |
| Maintenance Requirements Remarks | Young plants need shade for their roots. |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Cuttings can be obtained from semi-woody or woody stems. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Papery, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Cordate |
| 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 | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Silver / Grey, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Size - Remarks | Actual flowers small and inconspicuous; Bracts 2.5cm long. |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Drupe |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 84 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1380 |
| 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. |
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