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Moeroris amara (Schumach. & Thonn.) R.W.Bouman
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. |
| Common Name: | Child Pick-A-Back, Gale Of Wind, Carry Me Seed |
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 | Weeping / Pendulous |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herb up to 0.3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves resemble pinnately compound leaves, but are actually small, simple leaves arranged in 2 files on either side of the stem. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers are borne by separate individuals (dioecious). Male flowers are star-shaped (2 mm wide), composed of white sepals and without petals. |
| Fruit | Smooth, round fruits (2 mm wide) are known as capsules. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Flower Size | 2 mm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1038 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2331 |
| 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. |