Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | USA |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Inland Cliff) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb with decumbent stems (stems that lies on the ground with the tip curved upwards). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, fleshy leaves are alternately arranged along the stem, but occur as a small rosette (1 cm wide) at the tip. |
| Flowers | White, star-shaped flowers are arranged in a cyme inflorescence. Flower parts occur in sets of fours (4-merous). Stamens (male flower part) are composed of red anthers (pollen-bearing structure) borne on white filaments (stalk-like structure). |
| Habitat | Grows in cracks and ledges of cliffs. Also found on mats of lichen and moss growing on rocks. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Rooftops, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Shallow Media, Drought Tolerant |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral, Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblanceolate, Spathulate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1153 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2446 |
| 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. |
