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Bulbophyllum vaginatum (Lindl.) Rchb.f.
Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
Synonyms: | Bulbophyllum whiteanum (Rolfe) J.J.Sm. |
Common Name: | Magrah Batu |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Java and Maluku. |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is an epiphytic orchid, with a creeping and freely branching sympodial growth habit . |
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Roots | Its rhizome bears pseudobulbs, each with one shortly-stalked leaf . |
Foliage | Its rhizomes bear pseudobulbs. The leaves are borne as one leaf per pseudobulb which are spaced 3 to 5 cm apart. The pseudobulbs are ovoid and yellow. The shortly-stalked, thick leaves are oblong, 2.5–12 by 1.2–2.5 cm, with a bilobed leaf tip and obtuse leaf lobes. |
Stems | The rhizome has a creeping and freely branching growth habit. |
Flowers | The flowers are borne on umbels which originate from the base of the pseudobulbs. The flowers sepals and petals are pale yellow. The dorsal sepal is ovate with an acute tip and is ciliate. The lateral sepals are joined together at the base, measuring about 6.5 cm long. The yellow flower lip is oblong, narrowing at the tip and recurved, measuring about 2 mm long. Each flower cluster consists of up to 15 flowers. |
Fruit | Its fruits are round or oblong-shaped capsules, that ripen brown or black, splitting open to release the tiny, wind-dispersed seeds. |
Habitat | It grows on the branches and trunks of trees in open areas, lowland forests, as well as freshwater swamp forests. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seeds (in tissue culture), or division of the rhizomes. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: It is reported that the hot juice from the roasted fruits can be used as a cure for ear-ache by dripping it into the ear. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | The plants flower simultaneously, thereby a branch bearing several plants will produce a very pretty sight. It can be grown as an ornamental epiphyte of trees in gardens, parks or roadsides. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
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Water Preference | Little Water, Occasional Misting |
Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thick |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblanceolate) |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Retuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Cream / Off-White |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
Flowering Period Remarks | All the flowers open together in an area due to a stimulus caused by temperature change. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Black |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 29339 |
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Species ID | 3648 |
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. |