Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Procris repens

Back

Procris repens (Lour.) B.J.Conn & Hadiah

Family Name: Urticaceae
Synonyms: Elatostema repens var. viride, Pellionia pulchra, Elatostema daveauanum, Pellionia daveauana, Elatostema repens var. pulchrum, Elatostema gibbosum, Boehmeria repens, Pellionia daveauana var. viridis, Procris gibbosa, Pellionia repens
Common Name: Trailing Watermelon Begonia, Wavy Watermelon Begonia, Satin Creeper, Rainbow Vine, Sisek Naga, 吐烟花

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 0.2 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 0.6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Bhutan, India, Southern China, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a small herbaceous creeper, with prostrate ground-hugging habit, up to 15 cm tall, spreading or trailing up to 60 cm.
Foliage Its alternate, fleshy leaves have toothed or wavy leaf blades that are elliptic to oblong, and sometimes broadly egg-shaped, asymmetrically-cordate based, and 2.5–10 by 2–5 cm. The veins are mosaic-like on upper leaf surface, and distinctly reddish or brownish on lower surface. The stipules are pink-reddish, diamond-shaped, found at base of leaf petioles. Its leaf colour resembles watermelon rinds or the foliage of certain Begonias and are variable, ranging from grey-green in between brownish to purplish-green edges to almost totally brownish-green, and becoming completely purplish-brown with age.
Stems Its semi-fleshy stems are slightly zigzag, brownish, rooting at nodes upon contact with ground.
Flowers Its tiny flowers are white or pink with a tinge of silver, and arranged in branched clusters. The staminate (male) inflorescences are 0.6 -3.0 cm across, and 2-14 cm long, with the male flowers bearing 5 tepals (indistinguishable petals and sepals) and 5 stamens. The pistillate (female) inflorescences are smaller (3 mm across), stalkless, with the female flowers bearing 5 tepals (as long as or longer than fruits).
Fruit Its fruits are tiny achenes, ovoid to ellipsoidal, tuberculate.
Habitat It grows on  moist shady spots on rocks and the forest floors.
Similar It resembles Elatostema species, which have non-tuberculate, longitidinally-ribbed achenes, and whose female flowers have 3 tepals that are much shorter than the achenes.
Associated Fauna It is the food plant for caterpillars of the butterflies, the great eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina), Jacintha eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina jacintha), and danaid eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus misippus).
Cultivation It prefers consistently moist but well-drained soils and is prone to rot under constantly waterlogged conditions. It requires high humidity, so it is best cultivated enclosed within terrariums if placed in air-conditioned or cold-draughty locations. It is easily propagated by stem cuttings.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Pellionia' named after French Vice-Admiral Joseph Alphonse Odet-Pellion (1796-1868), who sailed with French navigator Louis de Freycinet around the world from 1817-1820. Species epithet 'repens' means 'spreading' or 'creeping', a reference to the plant's growth habit.
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: It is used by the Malays for poulticing boils, swollen areas, and the abdomen when it is painful. A decoction from the plant is used for rheumatism.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is grown for its attractive leaves. Under full shade, the leaves remain almost completely green but when given more light, the leaves become water melon-patterned. It is suitable for indoor as well as terrarium planting.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, General, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Terrarium, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Skyrise / Balcony
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden
SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant (Associated with: Hypolimnas bolina bolina, Hypolimnas bolina jacintha, Hypolimnas misippus, Leaves)
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow, Moist Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting (Herbaceous)

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Brown, Green, Red
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Papery
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Brown, Red
Foliar Modification Stipule
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong, Asymmetrical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Crenate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute, Obtuse
Foliar Base Cordate
Typical Foliar Area Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White, Pink
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Size - Remarks Staminate inflorescences 6-30mm across Pistillate inflorescences 3mm across
Inflorescence Type Cyme
Ovule Placentation Basal
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 92
Species ID 1388
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.
Species record last updated on: 20 April 2022.
Share