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Leuenbergeria bleo (Kunth) Lodé
| Family Name: | Cactaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC., Cactus bleo Kunth, Rhodocactus bleo (Kunth) F.M.Knuth |
| Common Name: | Rose Cactus, Wax Rose, Jarum Tujuh Bilah, Leaf Cactus, Perescia, Seven Star Needle, 玫瑰麒麟, 樱麒麟, 七星针 |
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 | 4 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Panama, Colombia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial shrub up to 4m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Unlike other members of the cactus family (Family Cactaceae) which lack leaves or have tiny leaves which quickly fall off, this species has large leaves which remain on the plant. Green leaves are elliptic with wavy leaf margin. Leaf surface appears wrinkled with leaf blade bulging between veins. |
| Stems | The woody stems are heavily armed with dense clusters of black, needle-like spines. |
| Flowers | Orange-red, rose-like flowers are composed of about 10 obovate to oval petals. Bisexual flowers have a compact column of white stamens and styles in the centre. |
| Fruit | Yellow, funnel-shaped fruits are fleshy with several black, disc-shaped seeds. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties In pre-clinical trials, Rose Cactus showed pain-relieving (Abdul-Wahab et al., 2012), anti-diabetic (Rani et al., 2019), and cholesterol-lowering properties (Rani et al., 2019) in animals. Traditional Medicinal Uses Research supports the traditional use of Rose Cactus in Malaysia to treat rheumatism and ulcers, as it may help to relieve pain. Other traditional uses include treating cancer. It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research.
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Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Planting Distance | 0 |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Bowl-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Waxy |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1030 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2324 |
| 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. |
