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Serissa japonica 'Snow Leaves'
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Serissa foetida 'Snow Leaves' |
| Common Name: | 金边白马骨, 六月雪 |
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 | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South East Asia and Japan |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Woody shrub, 45-60cm height. Crown rounded, bushy. Leaves small, oval, thick, green with whitish margin, smell unpleasant when cut or bruised (hence "foetida"). Flowers white, 6 petals; flowering period long.Good as bonsai -- when pruned, many branches produced from new and old wood, neat habit. Likes well-drained soil, prone to rotting in waterlogged soil. Over or underwatering, too little humidity may cause foliage yellowing and leaf drop. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers, Foliage, Stems) (Time Independent) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Bonsai, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Zen / Minimalist Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Well-Drained Soils |
| Diseases | Scale insects, yellowing leaves and leaf-drop caused by incorrect placement, low humidity levels or incorrect watering. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
| Maintenance Requirements Remarks | Repot every 2-3 years using a free-draining soil mix. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Drought / Semi-Deciduous, Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Whorled |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Light grey |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Time-Independent |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Weeks |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1161 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2454 |
| 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. |
