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 | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China, throughout Southeast Asia (including Singapore), to the Pacific Islands. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a stoloniferous herb, 15-60 cm tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalked leaves are arranged in a rosette, and have leaf blades that are cordate to sagittate, occasionally variegated, 7-35 × 4-18 cm. |
| Flowers | Its male and female flowers are arranged in a stalked inflorescence. The inflorescence (also known as a spadix) is encased within a pale green, modified, boat-shaped spathe (a leaf structure that resembles a petal), 3.5-12 cm long. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are berries. |
| Habitat | It grows in the understrorey of dense tropical forests, often on moist soils. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects such as beetles, and fruits are eaten by birds and other mammals. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed or division of the stolons. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for growing in parks and gardens under shaded or semi-shaded conditions for its attractive leaves and elegant inflorescence. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Sagittate, Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Cuspidate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31305 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5702 |
| 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. |
