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Wollastonia biflora (L.) DC.
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Synonyms: | Melanthera biflora (L.) Wild |
| Common Name: | Sea Daisy, Serenai Laut, Sea Ox-Eye, Pokok Serunai |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Andaman and Nicobar, China, Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia (north Queensland), Pacific Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest, Sandy Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Pounded leaves used as poultice on skin to treat cuts, ulcers, sores, swellings and varicose veins. Roots used to treat gonorrhoea, vaginal discharge and urinary crystals. |
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Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, General, Skyrise / Balcony, Flowerbed / Border, Beachfront / Shoreline |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Water) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Drought Tolerant |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1260 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2553 |
| 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. |