Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Umbrella |
| Maximum Height | 0.1 m to 2.1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indochina to Sumatra |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Extinct (EX)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Flowers | Infloresence emits a a putrid odor during late afternoon - night to attract potential pollinators, i.e.carrion flies and beetles |
|---|---|
| Others - Plant Morphology | Large tuberous aroid bearing a single, umbrella shaped leaf up to 2.1 m
tall and 2.5m in diameter. Leaf lamina highly dissected, bright to dark
green. Petiole (often mistaken as the 'stem' of the plant) surface
smooth, or in some specimens slightly rough to the touch towards the
base. Background color of petiole variable, from whitish green to
reddish brown and mottled with small dark green spots and large white
spots often merging into a continuous patch of color. Tuber depressed
globose, up to 25cm in diameter and 15cm high. Seedlings or young plants may produce more than one leaf from a single tuber |
| Habitat | Lowland and Coastal Dipterocarp Forest |
| Cultivation | Well drained, fertile soil is a must. Plant does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The Semangs of Peninsular Malaysia mix the juice of this plant with the latex of the 'Poison arrow tree' (Antiaris sp.) to make dart poison. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Reforestation |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Pungent Scent - Flowers |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits), Caterpillar Moth Food Plant (Leaves) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Carrion Insects (Carrion Fly, Carrion Beetle)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Nematodes |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Tuberous Stem) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
| Plant Sexuality (non-Angiosperm) | Monoecious |
| Reproductive Mode (non-Angiosperm) | Sexual |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 364 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1660 |
| 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. |
