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Breynia disticha J. R. Forst. et G. Forst.
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Breynia nivosus, Breynia axillaris, Breynia cernuus, Breynia nivosa |
| Common Name: | Snow Bush, Hawaiian Snowbush, Snow-on-the-Mountain, Sweetpea Bush, Ice Cream Bush, Foliage Flower |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southwestern Pacific (New Caledonia, Vanuatu) |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A shrub growing to about 5 m tall, with showy foliage. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are variegated with white and green colouration, with slender and zig-zag appearance; simple, alternate, entire margin, ovate-obovate shaped, pinnate venation. |
| Stems | Stems are thin and red in colour. |
| Flowers | Petal-less, green, occurs on long peduncles, axillary, almost inconspicuous because of the attractive foliage. |
| Fruit | Red, round shaped, berry, not showy. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Sucker |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green, White |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Bark Colour(s) | Reddish-coloured stems. |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 434 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1730 |
| 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. |
