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Vanilla griffithii

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Vanilla griffithii Rchb.f.

Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Akar Penubal, Akar Telinah, Kerbau Bukit, Mengkapas

Name

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

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Karimun Island
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))
CITES Protection True

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a climber up to about 6 m long.
Foliage Its alternate leaves may or may not be stalked. The leaves have fleshy leaf blades that are lance-shaped or egg-shaped-lance-shaped and 15 by 7.5 cm.
Flowers The flowers are borne on an inflorescence which can bear up to 12 or more flowers. The flower sepals and petals are white with pale green tips. The flower lip is white with a pale yellow tip the side-lobes of the lip are broad and reflexed, showing the column. The midlobe is bilobed, with a thin and finely frilled edge and a v-shaped callus. The basal part of the flower lip has red-brown bands running along the inner surface. The flowers open widely when in bloom, up to 5 cm and last for a day. 
Fruit Its fruits are 5 cm long, ripening yellow, and 2.5 cm wide.
Habitat It grows in forests.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are insect-pollinated.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed or stem cutting.
Etymology Latin vanilla, little-sheath; Latin griffithii, commemorating William Griffith (1810–1845), an English botanist.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Its fruit is sweet and edible.
Medicinal: Its flowers pulped in water may be used as an application to the body in violent fever.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is suitable for parks as a climber on trees for its attractive flowers.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

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

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Little Water, Occasional Misting
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate, Sessile
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Green, White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape Labiate / Lipped
Flower Size 5 cm

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 234
Species ID 1530
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 August 2022.
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