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Apoballis acuminatissima 'Lavallaei'
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Synonyms: | Schismatoglottis acuminatissima 'Lavallaei' |
| Common Name: | Purple Sword Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 20 cm to 30 cm |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 30 cm to 90 cm |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous herb to 30cm tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves elliptical, to 15cm long, leaf base cordate. Upper surface dull whitish-greyish green with dull dark green blotches, lower surface of leaves and petioles dull purplish red. |
| Cultivation | This cultivar is sometimes sold commercially under the name of Homalomena 'Purple Sword'. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple, Red, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 8 cm to 15 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30887 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5264 |
| 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. |