Name
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 | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Herbaceous trailing shrub, usually 15cm height. Spreading stolons. Leaves ornamental, glossy coppery brown, variegated green around veins (especially mid-vein), velvety, crenate margins. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, petal margins denticulate. Fruits not observed in Singapore.Suitable as groundcover, in hanging baskets and containers for interiorscaping, and vertical landscaping. Brighter light results in better leaf colouration. Use moist but well-drained media to prevent rotting. Shelter leaves from heavy rainfall to minimize damage and rotting.Propagate by removing sizeable stolons from parent plant, and rooting stolon base in well-drained media. For more flowers or plant, pinch off stolons.Genus name derived from Greek episkios, meaning shaded (a reference to natural habitat of species in tropical central America). Species epithet 'cupreata' refers to coppery colour of leaves. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Potential Problems | Leaves may be damaged or rot when exposed to heavy rain. Plant may rot in poorly-drained media. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Stolon / Runner |
| Propagule Establishment Remarks | Root base of stolons in moist, well-drained media. |
| Maintenance Requirements Remarks | Pinch off stolons to get more flowers or bigger parent plant. |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Use sizeable stolons for better results. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Brown, Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Time-Independent |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 103 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1399 |
| 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. |
