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Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (variegated)
| Family Name: | Verbenaceae |
| Synonyms: | Stachytarpheta indica auct. (variegated) |
| Common Name: | Variegated Brazilian Tea, Variegated Rooter Comb, Variegated Verbena Cimarrona, Variegated Gervao, Variegated Blue Porter Weed |
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 | 1 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A woody, erect shrub. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Opposite leaves are approximately elliptic to ovate with some leaves slightly asymmetrical (5 cm long, 3 - 4 cm wide). They have dentate leaf margin with teeth of unequal size. Leaves are mostly yellow with green patches. Some branches may revert back to green, non-variegated foliage. |
| Stems | Its woody stem has tan bark with linear-shaped lenticels. |
| Flowers | Salverform, light to dark purple flowers have a white throat and 5 lobes (1 cm wide). Flowers are arranged on a terminal spike inflorescence (an inflorescence at the stem tip which has stalkless flowers held along one main axis). Only about 2 - 4 flowers are open at a time, lasting for one day and replaced by a new set the next day. The spike inflorescence blooms in this manner for several weeks. |
| Fruit | Dry, indehiscent fruit is known as a nutlet, a one-seeded small nutlike fruit. It is formed by the fragmentation of a multi-sectioned fruit into single-seeded pieces. |
| Taxonomy | Previous name of Stachytarpheta indica (variegated) misused in Singapore. Current name of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (variegated) is applicable to most cultivated plants in Singapore. |
| Cultivation | Plant in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. Plant in a sunny location to prevent the proliferation of non-variegated foliage. You may want to prune branches with leaves that are completely green. |
| Etymology | The genus 'Stachytarpheta' comes from the Greek words for spike ("stachys") and thick ("tarphys"). It refers to the long inflorescence found in many species of this genus, |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This cultivar is planted as an ornamental shrub for its striking bluish flowers and variegated leaves. It is ideal for butterfly gardens as a nectar plant. Place them in the back to avoid obscuring smaller species. This cultivar could also be used as an informal hedge. The variegated foliage would provide interest to mostly green landscapes. It would also suit a "Golden Garden" theme. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Dentate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Bark Colour(s) | tan |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Lenticellate |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Salverform |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 1 cm |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | 1 Day |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29111 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3423 |
| 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. |
