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Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume
| Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
| Common Name: | Hookweed, Pastureweed, Nyarang, 杯苋, 倒扣草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Africa, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Pacific Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Creeping herbaceous shrub with ascending or erect, red-tinged stems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves hairy-velvety on both sides, rhomboid, oppositely arranged, with reddish margins when young. |
| Flowers | Whitish to light greenish, 1-3 per cluster, produced on 20-30cm tall inflorescence raceme-pikes. Mixture of unisexual and bisexual flowers. Peripheral flowers sterile, with many stiff hooked awns. |
| Fruit | Very small globose utricles (0.5mm across), with numerous tiny shiny-brown seeds. |
| Habitat | Usually found in wastelands, disturbed areas, roadsides, hillsides and along rivers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Parts of plant used as food, and to treat diarrhoea, dysentery. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Flower |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Many stiff hooked awns on inflorescence spikes. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 618 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1913 |
| 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. |
