Back
Smilax setosa Miq.
| Family Name: | Smilacaceae |
| Synonyms: | Smilax barbata Wall. ex A. DC., Smilax bracteata (Wall. ex A. DC.) T. Koyama var. barbata |
| Common Name: | Bearded Smilax, Akar Banar, Akar Keranting Jantan |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangka Island |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a woody and stout climber. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked leaves have very leathery leaf blades that are egg-shaped, narrowing to tips, dark green, white below, and 15–20 by 7.5–15 cm, with 5 pairs of veins that are very prominent below. |
| Flowers | Its inflorescence consists of flowers that are green and 1.3–1.9 cm long. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are dark red. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forest margins. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are eaten by birds. It is also the larval host plant of the Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti), and Yamfly (Loxura atymnus fuconius). |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed and stem cutting. |
| Etymology | Greek Smilax, a scraper, referring to the prickly stems; Latin setosa, covered with bristles or stiff hairs. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits), Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water, Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White, Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 205 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1501 |
| 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. |