Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte, Herbaceous Plant |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A submerged, suspended aquatic perennial or annual. It can grow up to 1.5m in length. |
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| Roots | The plant has no roots. Instead, it has rhizoids which occurs at the base of the peduncle. |
| Foliage | The leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and are very finely pinnately compound. There are specialized structures called 'utricles', located at the leaf segments and are obliquely ovoid in shape and measure about 1 to 4mm wide. The mouth has 2 small lateral, hardly branched bristle-like appendages (setae). |
| Flowers | The flowers are borne on inflorescences 15 to 25cm tall, with up to 10 short-lived flowers. The flower corolla is yellow in colour, the lower lip is transversely elliptic with a 2 lobed swelling. The upper lip is broadly ovate. The inner surface of both lips have red stripes originating from the base. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | The utricles found on the plant are specialized structures, used to catch insects and small organisms to supplement the nutrients it recieves. The utricles are triggered when movement from organisms is detected by tiny hair-like structures lining its mouth. This causes the utricle to inflate, sucking in the passing organism. |
| Habitat | It occurs in stagnant water such as ponds, rice paddies, lakes and marshes from sea level up to 2700m in altitude. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Red |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1245 |
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| Species ID | 2538 |
| 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. |
