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Strobilanthes dyerianus Mast.
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Perilepta dyeriana, Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana |
| Common Name: | Persian Shield, Burma Conehead |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 0.9 m to 1.2 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Myanmar |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect herbaceous plant, able to grow up to 0.5 - 1 m tall and 0.5 m wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves variegated with shimmering shades of purple, green and silver, with completely purple underneath, ovate-lanceolate in shape and measuring up to 20 cm long. |
| Stems | Stems are squarish in cross-section. |
| Flowers | Purple, 5-lobed funnel-shaped flowers are arranged in short cone-like infloresences. |
| Associated Fauna | Grey Pansy (Junonia atlites) |
| Cultivation | Ideal as bedding plant for lining borders and corners that enjoy morning or afternoon sun. Tip-prune to promote bushy growth and minimize legginess. |
| Etymology | Genus Strobilanthes is derived from two Greek words - "strobilos"which means cone and "anthos" which means flower, and refers to the plant's inflorescence. Species dyerianus is named after Sir William Thistleton-Dyer (1843 - 1928) of the Science Schools Building, London. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant (Associated with: Junonia atlites) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Diseases | Spider mites (esp. indoor plants), root rot |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Maintenance Requirements Remarks | Prune plant to promote bushy growth and reduce legginess. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ), Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| 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) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Individual Flower Shape | Funnelform / Funnel-shaped |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1188 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2481 |
| 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. |
