.jpg)
.jpg)
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Emergent Aquatic, Waterside / Marginal) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Eastern Canada, USA, Belize, Cuba, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Clump-forming herbaceous perennial up to 0.9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Thick fibrous roots are produced from an extensive rhizome. |
| Foliage | Shiny green, fleshy leaves are arrow-shaped with entire leaf margin (10-20 cm long leaf blade). Long petioles are round and thick, emerging from the ground. |
| Flowers | Spike inflorescence is composed of 20-30 blue to purple, star-shaped flowers. The inflorescence stalk is 0.6-0.9m long, while the spike alone is 15-20 cm long. Individual flowers (2.5 cm wide) last only 1 day, but the inflorescence lasts several days, as new flowers take the place of old ones. |
| Fruit | Each fruit produces 1 large seed. |
| Cultivation | This species is suitable for landscaping water features. The plants can be grown in soil or submerged in water. |
| Etymology | The genus Pontederia is named after Italian botanist Guilio Pontedera. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It is used in constructed wetlands to cleanse polluted water. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Riverine, Aquarium / Aquascape, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29153 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3462 |
| 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. |
