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Sieruela rutidosperma (DC.) Roalson & J.C.Hall
Family Name: | Cleomaceae |
Synonyms: | Cleome rutidosperma DC. |
Common Name: | Fringed Spiderflower, Ciliate Spider-Flower, Consumption Weed, Wild Cat's Whiskers, 平伏莖白花菜, 成功白花菜 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 1 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Tropical Africa |
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Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Herbaceous plants that form dense mats or grow as an epiphyte. |
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Foliage | Compound, trifoliate leaves are composed of elliptic to narrowly ovate leaflets. The leaflets are tightly packed together and united at the base without any intervening stalk. The sunken, pinnate venation creates a quilted leaf surface. |
Flowers | The flower are composed of 4 reddish petals that gradually fade to pink or light purple. The petals point upwards and are arranged side-by-side in a fan-like pattern. |
Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. Fruits are cylindrical with a beak at the tip (5-7 cm long, 0.4-0.5 cm wide). They have 2 compartments which hold many, tiny seeds that are brown to black and have a ribbed surface. Ants help to disperse seeds. |
Habitat | Occurs in forests and disturbed or abandoned land. Epiphytic forms grow on trees or the side of cliffs and walls. In Malaysia and the Philippines, it is considered a weed, invading various types of crop fields. |
Associated Fauna | Host plant for Striped Albatross (Appia libythea olferna), the Pysche (Leptosia nina malayana) and Cabbage White (Pieris canidia canidia) |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Pink |
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Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 520 |
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Species ID | 1816 |
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. |