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Gynura pseudochina var. hispida

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Gynura pseudochina var. hispida

Family Name: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Common Name: Sambung Nyawa Batik, 菊三七, 狗头七

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution South East Asia
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Perennial herb that typically grows about 20 - 60 cm tall in cultivation with a maximum height of 1.3 m tall.
Roots The tuberous roots may be lobed or round and have a diameter of 2-6 cm wide.
Foliage Its leaves are elliptical, ovate (egg-shaped with pointed tip), spatulate (spoon-shaped) or obovate (egg-shaped with rounded tip) and have shallow lobes. The leaf blade is 7-40 cm long and 5-20 cm wide, while the petiole (leaf-stalk) is 0.3-3 cm long. The upper side of the leaf is purple between veins while the leaf under side is green.
Flowers The yellow to red, compound inflorescence is known as a campanulate head.
Fruit The dry, 1-seeded fruit is known as an achene (3-4 mm long).
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: The underground tuber has medicinal properties. In Thai traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat short-term and chronic inflammation. It has also been used to treat fever and viral diseases. Scientific studies have shown there are compounds with anti-inflammatory properties in the leaves, but there are also potentially toxic compounds as well, so more study is required.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Small Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Purple, Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Margin Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Inflorescence Type Compound Head / Capitulum

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Few (1-5)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 758
Species ID 2053
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.
Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.
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