Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Shoreline (Mangrove Forest, Mudflat) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect semi-woody plant with a shrubby growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Oblong, lobed leaves have sharp spines along the leaf margin. Smooth, shiny leaves have a variegated pattern of mostly green with white to cream-coloured patches concentrated mostly along the leaf margin, but sometimes covering more than half the leaf. |
| Stems | Reddish stems are thick and round. Stems have sharp spines. |
| Flowers | White flowers are arranged in a spike inflorescence. The flower buds are shaped like slippers. Mature blooms have stamens with orange-brown filaments (stalk) and white and brown anthers (pollen-bearing structure). The 2 white petals are held horizontally and slightly cupped. |
| Fruit | Fruits are greenish brown and striped with irregular, thin yellow patches. They are flattened ellipsoids and classified as capsules. Capsules have a long tail at the tip which is the remainder of the stigma. |
| Cultivation | This cultivar is useful for water landscaping, and can be grown in water. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden, White |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Labiate / Lipped |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Plant Sexuality (non-Angiosperm) | Monoecious |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 299 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1595 |
| 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. |
