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Paracarphalea kirondron (Baill.) Razafim., Ferm, B.Bremer & Kårehed
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Carphalea kirondron |
| Common Name: | Flaming Beauty, 繁星花 |
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 |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tropical shrub, up to 3 m or more in height if not restrained. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves mostly opposite, sometimes whorled, 10 cm by 5 cm, green with protruding veins. Interpetiolar stipules present. |
| Stems | Woody stems, leaf petioles 2 cm long, red hue. |
| Flowers | Blooms in large bunches, 10 - 20 cm across, bright red calyx enlarged and unequal (1 lobe is more enlarged than the others). Inflorescence terminal, in a corymb-like thyrse. Flowers bisexual, tubular, white and 4 - petaled, inconspicuous from far. Heterostylous, flowers have either long or short styles. Flowers' lifespan up to months. |
| Fruit | Fruits are indehiscent and nut-like. |
| Similar | Often mistaken as Ixora species as bright red calyx look similar to flowers of Ixora species. Ixora leaves are oppositely arranged along the stems, and the flower lobes are equal, with anthers dorsifixed near the base. |
| Cultivation | Prune often to promote bushiness and flowering. Plants flowers best under full sun. Ensure plant in a well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Grown for its showy ornamental flowers, planted as hedge along roadside. Fast growing and low maintenance, blooms well under full sun. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Butterfly Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Weak Branches |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Potential Problems | No serious pest or disease problems. |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Propagation by seeds are more difficult compared to stem cuttings. For stem cuttings, cut a few stems of 5-6 inches in length, trim away excess leaves, leaving a couple for plant to make food. Plant stem in one and half inches deep hole, cover with soil and place plant in shaded area, water regularly. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite, Whorled |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Thryse |
| Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 490 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1786 |
| 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. |