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Breynia sp. 'Iron Range'
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Common Name: | Red Coffee Bush, Iron Range Breynia, Bridle Bush |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A shrub that grows up to 2 m tall with slightly weeping branches. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are simple, burgundy-red on both sides, ovate-shaped, alternately arranged along the stem. |
| Flowers | Small, inconspicuous (not very clear), located on the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Fruits are berry-like, ripen to red. |
| Associated Fauna | Possibly pollinated by Leaf Flower Moth (Epicephala species). |
| Etymology | The genus Breynia is named after Jacob Breyne (1670-1743), the collector of exotic plants in Danzig. The species epithet cernua means drooping, curving forwards, facing downwards, with reference to the branching. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The burgundy-red leaves adds colours to parks and gardens. The shrub leaves may appear greenish when grown in shade. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Red |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30568 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4877 |
| 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. |
