Back
Grona triflora (L.) H.Ohashi & K.Ohashi
Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
Synonyms: | Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC., Desmodium parvifolium Blanco, Hedysarum triflorum L. |
Common Name: | Creeping Tick Trefoil, Three-flower beggarweed, 三点金 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
---|---|
Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Pantropical |
---|---|
Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a terrestrial, annual herb that trails along the ground, often up to 50 cm long and rooting at the nodes. |
---|---|
Foliage | Its stalked, alternate, compound leaves are trifoliate, about 1 cm long. Each heartshaped leaflet is obovate in shape, leaf tip emarginate, with the centre leaflet not more than 0.6 cm long. |
Flowers | Its reddish, pinkish to purplish bisexual flowers are borne singly or up to five on axillary inflorescenes. |
Fruit | Its fruits are slightly curved pods that are hairy, 3-5 jointed, about 1.2-1.3 cm long. |
Habitat | It grows in turfs, fields, open grasslands and on roadsides. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are probably insect-pollinated. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed or stem cutting. |
Etymology | The specific epithet 'triflora is Latin for three-flowered. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The plant is used in Chinese medicine to treat dysentry, rheumatism and fever. A decoction of the roots is used by the Malays to treat stomachaches, while a poultice is used for treating skin problems. The plant is also used in Indonesia and the Philippines to treat wounds and ulcers. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is suitable as a groundcover as it grows in thick clumps. |
---|---|
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Groundcover |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting, Butterfly-Attracting |
---|---|
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
---|---|
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Shallow Media, Easy to Grow |
Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
---|---|
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Thin |
Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Spiral |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate |
Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple, Red |
---|---|
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Green |
---|---|
Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 31246 |
---|---|
Species ID | 5641 |
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. |