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Dischidia nummularia R.Br.

Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Synonyms:	Dischidia gaudichaudii Decne.
Common Name:	Pitis-pitis kecil, Daun pitis kecil, Button Orchid, 圆叶眼树莲

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Little Water

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Suitable for Hanging Baskets

Ornamental Leaves

Climber

Epiphyte

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

Native Distribution	Singapore, India, Myanmar, continental Southeast Asia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Philippines, Sulawesi, Moluccas, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Australia
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Growth Form	Slender creeping epiphyte often forming dense masses on trees on which it occurs.
Foliage	Leaves opposite, round, dull greenish-yellow, often thick and succulent, 7 mm – 10 mm in diameter. Young leaves occasionally with powdery bloom.
Flowers	Flowers white to yellowish-white, about 1 mm in length, occurring in umbels of 1 – 5 flowers.

Fruit	Hairless, pale green or yellow follicles occur singly or in pairs, hanging down from the stem (2 – 4 cm × 0.4 cm). They split open on one side when mature, releasing oblong seeds (1.5 – 2.5 × 0.4 – 0.7 mm).
Habitat	It grows on trees along the coasts, in mangrove, lowland and hill forests, and on limestone hills up to 550 m altitude. It can also be found on trees along roads, in villages and plantations. It occurs locally in Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin and many other sites on Singapore Island.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are insect-pollinated. The fatty substances in the seeds provide food for ants.
Etymology	Greek dis, two; Greek askidion, ascidium, alluding to the leaves which in some species may or may not develop into pitchers; Latin nummus, resembling a coin, possibly referring to the plant’s tiny, nearly circular leaves.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Medicinal: The leaves are used to treat gonorrhea and tropical sores (aphthae tropicae). Its latex is used to ease the pain from the stings of spiny catfishes.

Landscaping	It can withstand hot, sunny, and high wind speed conditions, and is suitable for planting on roadside trees.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Suitable for Hanging Baskets, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Rootzone Tolerance	Easy to Grow
Pest(s)	Sucking Insects
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting (Herbaceous)

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage
Foliar Margin	Entire

Inflorescence Type

Umbel

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden, Green
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Follicle

References	<1> Middleton, D.J. & Rodda, M. (2019). Apocynaceae. Flora of Singapore, vol. 13., Singapore: Singapore Botanic Gardens.

References

<1> Middleton, D.J. & Rodda, M. (2019). Apocynaceae. Flora of Singapore, vol. 13., Singapore: Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Images

Master ID	89
Species ID	1385
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.