Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Stachytarpheta 'Red Compacta'

Back

Stachytarpheta 'Red Compacta'

Family Name: Verbenaceae
Common Name: Dwarf Red False Vervain, Red Compact Porterweed, Dwarf Red Porter Weed

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Dwarf
Maximum Height 0.3 m to 0.6 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 0.6 m

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A woody erect shrub with long prominent spike inflorescences. 
Foliage Light green, opposite leaves are approximately elliptic to ovate (5 cm long, 3 - 4 cm wide). They have a dentate leaf margin with teeth of unequal size. Leaves are slightly curled inwards. 
Stems Woody stem has tan bark with linear-shaped lenticels. 
Flowers Bright red, salverform flowers have 5 unequal lobes and a white throat (1 cm wide). Flowers are arranged on a 15 - 25 cm long terminal spike inflorescence (an inflorescence at the stem tip which has stalkless flowers held along one main axis). Only about 3 - 6 flowers are open at a time, lasting for one day and replaced by a new set the next day. The spike inflorescence blooms in this manner for several weeks. 
Fruit Dry, indehiscent fruit is known as a nutlet, a one-seeded small nutlike fruit. It is formed by the fragmentation of a multi-sectioned fruit into single-seeded pieces. 
Cultivation Plant in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. To prevent excessive establishment of new seedlings, remove spent flowers before they set seed. 
Etymology The genus "Stachytarpheta" comes from the Greek words for spike ("stachys") and thick ("tarphys"). It refers to the long inflorescence found in many species of this genus,

Landscaping Features

Landscaping This cultivar is planted as an ornamental shrub for its bright red flowers. Although the flowers only last for about a day, new flowers are produced every day along the inflorescence spike for several weeks. A mass planting of this cultivar would create a stunning display of red colour. It is ideal for butterfly gardens as a nectar plant. 
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Coastal, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Butterfly Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Aggressive growth due to its large seed production.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Moist Soils
Propagation Method Stem Cutting
Propagation Method Remarks Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings. To collect seeds for propagation, allow the seedhead to dry on the plant before harvesting the seeds. 
Planting Distance 0 to 0

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Young Flush Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Dentate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Acute, Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Bark Colour(s) tan
Mature Bark Texture Lenticellate
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Red
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Salverform
Inflorescence Type Spike
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Opening Time Daytime
Flower Lifespan on Plant 1 Day

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 30556
Species ID 4865
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.
Species record last updated on: 22 February 2022.
Share