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Galphimia glauca
| Family Name: | Malpighiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Thryallis glauca |
| Common Name: | Shower of Gold, Rain of Gold |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico to Guatemala |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A small tropical evergreen shrub, reaching up to about 0.5 - 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Light green oblong leaves, simple, opposite, measuring 2 - 4.5 cm long. |
| Stems | Young stems are usually reddish in colour |
| Flowers | Yellow flowers measuring about 1.5 - 2 cm in diameter and are usually in 4 - 6 in a cluster. |
| Fruit | Inconspicuous oval green fruit, measuring about 1 - 1.5 cm. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Forms dense barriers that are attractive and functional. Good candidate for low-maintenance landscapes, it is easy to grow, drought resistant, and blooms almost all year around. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Hedge / Screening, Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Planting Distance | 0 m to 0 m |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Modification | Stipule |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Ovule Placentation | Axile |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 729 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2024 |
| 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. |