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Combretum constrictum (Benth.) M.A.Lawson
| Family Name: | Combretaceae |
| Common Name: | Finger Lies on the Ground, Thailand Powderpuff |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A shrub growing to about 1.5 to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves almost opposite; leaf blade oblong-elliptic, 3-12 by 1.5 - 6.5 cm, chartaceous, apex acute to rounded, base rounded, petiole 2-6 mm. |
| Stems | Woody, glabrescent young branches (branchlets). |
| Flowers | Unscented, red-pink sepals, 5-merous, lower receptacle subglabrous, apex is funnel-shaped, petals pilose. |
| Fruit | Fruits are sessile, 5-angle, ellipsoidal shaped, glabrous. |
| Habitat | Forests close to the coasts, mangrove edge, seasonal swamps. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet "constrictus" means constricted and dense, with reference to the inflorescence. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The roots are believed to be used as remedy for treating worms in children. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth), Insects (Bee), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp), Vertebrates (Bird)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Water) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Whitish bark. |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant - Remarks | 7- 12 days for a single flower, while 32 days for inflorescence. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 541 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1837 |
| 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. |
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