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Phyllodium longipes (Craib) Schindl.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Desmodium tonkinense, Desmodium longipes |
| Common Name: | Fish Scales, Dragon's Tongue, Klet Lin Yai (Thai), 长叶排钱树, 蝶形花科, 排钱草 |
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 m to 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Monsoon Forest, Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Woody leguminous shrub, typically 1 - 2 m in overall height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves densely covered by velvety brown hairs. Terminal leaves lanceolate to oblong, 13-20 cm length, often longer than lateral leaves, prominently veined. |
| Stems | Branchlets densely brown-pubescent. |
| Flowers | White to creamy-yellow, small and inconspicuous, subtended by a pair of green leaf-like bracts arranged along pendulous flowering shoot. Flowers produced seasonally, Aug - Sep in native region. |
| Fruit | Small explosive pods, jointed and downy on both sides, with small elliptical seeds, produced from Oct - Nov. |
| Habitat | Thick monsoonal forests and thickets. |
| Cultivation | Sun-loving, tolerates some shade, but avoid placing in deep shade. Otherwise hardy, withstands torrential monsoon rains. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Phyllodium' describes a flattened leaf-like stem, a reference to the leafy bracts enclosing the plant's flowers. Species epithet 'longipes' means 'long-stalked', alluding to the trailing inforescence shoots. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Root decoction used to treat kidney stones, bodily discomfort and cancer. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Focal Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 631 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1926 |
| 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. |
