Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a perennial that is commonly grown as an annual. They can be either erect and bushy, trailing or open and spreading. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves have toothed margin, and dark green in colour, arranged oppositely along the stem. |
| Flowers | Flowers are five-petaled, in rounded clusters. Colours range from blue to pink, purple, dark red, yellow and white. Some varieties are fragrant. |
| Cultivation | It can be grown from seed and semi-hardwood cutting. Requires full sun in order to grow and flower. Avoid overhead watering. Pinch young plants to encourage bushier growth, deadhead spent flowers to allow additional blooms. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its varieties are cultivated for their profuse blooming of colourful flowers. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Groundcover, Skyrise / Balcony, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30515 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4824 |
| 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. |
