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Abelmoschus moschatus (Span.) Borss.Waalk. subsp. tuberosus
| Family Name: | Malvaceae |
| Synonyms: | Abelmoschus rugosus Wall. ex Wight & Arn., Abelmoschus coccineus S.Y.Hu, Abelmoschus moschatus (Wall. ex Wight & Arn.) Hochr. var. rugosus, Abelmoschus brevicapsulatus (Hochr.) Hochr., Abelmoschus esquirolii (H.Lév.) S.Y.Hu, Hibiscus abelmoschus L. |
| Common Name: | Musk Mallow |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, southern China, tropical Asia to the Pacific Islands. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Trailing herb up to 2 m across and 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked leaves are alternate, hairy and heart-shaped to 3-5 lobed, up to 15 cm long, with toothed margins. |
| Stems | Stems are soft and hairy. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are 5-petaled, red to pink to cream coloured, with a prominent style bearing the female and male reproductive parts protruding from the centre of the flower. It resembles a hibiscus flower. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are ovoid or round capsules with a pointed tip, angular, covered with short hairs, resembling the fruit of okra. |
| Habitat | It grows in marshy areas to forest edges, often in open disturbed areas from sea level up to 450 m. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated from seed, the small tubers it produces or stem cuttings. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: An aromatic oil is extracted from the seeds to make perfumes. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting in parks and gardens. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Storage Organ (Tuberous Root) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Root Tuber) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red, Pink, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31088 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5478 |
| 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. |
