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Dischidia nummularia R. Br.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Dischidia gaudichaudii Decne. |
| Common Name: | Button Orchid, Daun pitis kecil, 圆叶眼树莲 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka, China (In Southern provinces - Southern Yunnan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan) Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| 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)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| 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, 7mm-10mm in diameter. Young leaves occasionally with powdery bloom. |
| Flowers | Flowers white to yellowish-white, about 1mm in length, occurring in umbels of 1-5 flowers. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are follicles that split open at one side when mature, pale green or yellow, and 2–4 by 0.4 cm. Its seeds contain fatty substances that provide food for ants. |
| 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 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 Features
| 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 |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Herbaceous) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Follicle |
Image Repository
Others
| 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. |
