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Centotheca lappacea
| Family Name: | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Synonyms: | Cenchrus lappaceus, Centotheca longilamina, Centotheca parviflora, Festuca blepharophora, Holcus latifolius, Melica diandra, Melica lappacea, Melica philippensis, Melica refracta, Oplismenus magellanicus, Panicum festuciforme, Panicum magellanicum |
| Common Name: | Rumput Lilit Kain, Rumput Darah |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa, China & eastern Asia, India, Indochina, Malesia, Australasia & Pacific |
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| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An erect perennial growing from culms, height of 30 - 100 cm. |
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| Foliage | Leaf blade's base tapers towards the midrib and asymmetrical; leaf blades lanceolate, measuring 5 - 16 cm long and 10 - 30 mm wide; surface glabrous or pilose. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence, panicle, ovate shaped, 10 - 25 cm long; pedicels slender, pubescent; spikelets around 5 mm, florets 2 - 3. |
| Habitat | Commonly found in forest margins, shady roadsides and moist shady areas. |
| Etymology | The genus name Centotheca means prickly-sheath, which refers to the leaf sheath. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: An excellent fodder grass, used for livestock feed. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Other Mammal), Vertebrates (Human)) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
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| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain |
| Seed Description | Ellipsoidal shape, measuring about 1 mm. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 501 |
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| Species ID | 1797 |
| 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. |