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Hanguana anthelminthica

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Hanguana anthelminthica (Blume ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Masam.

Family Name: Hanguanaceae
Common Name: Common Susum, Bakong Rimba

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 3 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and Palau
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine), Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is an aquatic or terrestrial, perennial herbaceous plant up to 3 m tall.
Foliage Its grass-like, fleshy, stalked leaves have leaf blades that taper at both ends. Its leaf blades are also sometimes purple or red on the underside, and 20–127 by 1.5–17.5 cm, with dense venation.
Flowers Its green or yellow flowers grow on a branched flowering shoot.
Fruit Its round fruits ripen from shiny red and dark purple to black, are up to 2.5 cm wide and contain one seed.
Habitat It grows as an aquatic or terrestrial plant in lowland swamp forest, and hill forest up to 1,500 m altitude. It also grows in morasses, slow-moving freshwater, and along lake-shores and rivers, or humid forests.
Associated Fauna It is an important habitat for waterfowl such as the common moorhen, purple swamphens, as well as habitats for aquatic insects and fish at their dangling roots, and provides perches for dragonflies.
Taxonomy Hanguana anthelminthica (Blume ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Masam. was previously misidentified as Hanguana malayana (Jack) Merr. (Leong-Škorničková, J. & Niissalo, M.A., 2017).
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed and stolons.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is able to form floating islands in lakes owing to air present in its numerous air-vessels. The plant is large and attractive and useful for landscaping water bodies.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Riverine, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water, Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stolon / Runner

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Acute, Clasping

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground
Specialised Storage Organ(s)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden, Green
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Thryse, Panicle

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red, Purple, Black
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

References

References Leong-Škorničková, J. & Niissalo, M.A. (2017). Identity and typification of Hanguana malayana and H. anthelminthica and notes on other early names in Hanguanaceae. Plant System Evol. 303: 1213-1223.

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Master ID 764
Species ID 2059
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: 15 March 2023.
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