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Acanthus ilicifolius L.
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Common Name: | Mangrove HoIIy, Sea HoIIy, Jeruju Putih, KoIimuIIi, 老鼠勒 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India to Polynesia (including Singapore), and Australia |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a semi-woody, sprawling shrub sometimes up to 3 m tall. Its stems are shiny green with speckles, and a pair of spines at the leaf’s angles. Prop roots may sometimes develop at lower parts of the stems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, shortly-stalked leaves possess spiny leaf blades that are oval to oblong, pale green with a yellowish tinge above and green below, and 5–22 cm by 2–7 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowering shoot is up to 20 cm long, bearing up to 20 pairs of flowers clustered in four vertical rows at its end. Its pale lilac flowers are 2–4 cm long, with three much- bracts (reduced leaves) basally. |
| Fruit | Its 4-seeded fruits are slightly flattened, ovoid, shiny green, and 2–3 cm long. They explode when ripe to expose wrinkled, whitish-green seeds that are about 1 cm long. |
| Habitat | It grows in mangrove forest, pure freshwater or waterlogged areas, and on dry land. It occurs locally in the vicinities of Sungei Mandai, Senoko, Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and many other mangrove forest sites. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by carpenter bees and occasionally sunbirds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Constipation and sore legs can be treated by taking a mixture of the aerial parts of the plant and ginger. The leaves are used to treat rheumatism and wounds. They are also used to make a soothing and softening cream. A solution of the crushed leaves may be drunk to aid childbirth. Additionally, a concoction of the leaves can be taken with the stems to promote longevity, or with the roots to improve hair conditions, and treat sores and snake bites. Others: The entire plant can also be used as a drying agent and so placed in rice sacks. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its spiny leaves make it useful as a barrier plant to block off certain areas of the landscape design. It is grown as a marsh plant for pond edges or in beds in drier conditions. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Hedge / Screening, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog |
| Thematic Landscaping | Marsh Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Easy to Grow |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Tip, Herbaceous) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (marginal) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
References
| References | Duke, N. C.. 2006. Australia’s mangroves: The authoritative guide to Australia’s mangrove plants. Australia: University of Queensland. pp. 80-191 Khare, C. P.. 2007. Indian medicinal plants: An illustrated dictionary. United States of America: Springer Science & Business Media. 900pp |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29178 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3487 |
| 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. |
