Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small, bushy shrub up to 0.6-1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are approximately lanceolate to broadly elliptic (3-11 cm long, 0.5-7.5 cm wide) with 2 short, wing-like lobes. Each leaf has 3 prominent, longitudinal veins which run nearly parallel to each other. |
| Stems | Branches are 4-sided with narrow wings. |
| Flowers | Tubular flowers are deep blue with a yellow throat (1.6-2.2 cm long, 2-3 cm wide). They have 5 equal, rectangular to triangular lobes which have whitish, shallowly notched tips. The spike-like inflorescence (known as a raceme) is composed of 1-6 flowers that are attached by a stalk. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. The base of the fruit is approximately round, while the tip has a distinct beak. Each fruit contains 2-4 spherical to slightly flattened, dark reddish brown seeds (5-6 mm wide). |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Entire - Wavy / Undulate, Dentate, Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Dark Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary, Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30481 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4790 |
| 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. |
