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Urena lobata L.
| Family Name: | Malvaceae |
| Synonyms: | Urena grandiflora, Urena trilobata |
| Common Name: | Bur mallow, Caesar weed, Urena burr, 地桃花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Pantropical |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Subshrub (a short, woody shrub with herbaceous branch tips) up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Greyish green leaves are egg-shaped or lobed (1-12 cm long, 1-12 cm wide) with a toothed leaf margin. Both sides of the leaf are covered in soft, short hairs. |
| Stems | The woody stem near the base reaches up to 7 cm wide. |
| Flowers | Hibiscus-like flowers are 1 cm wide and composed of 5 pink petals with rounded tips. They usually occur singly in the leaf axils (the angle between the stem and upper leaf surface). |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. The round fruits split into 5 small fruitlets known as mericarps. |
| Cultivation | This species can tolerate salt spray and moderately saline soils. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Bangladesh, an infusion of flowers (flowers soaked in water) is taken to treat sore throat. The roots are commonly used as a diuretic. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Coastal |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Easy to Grow |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31351 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5748 |
| 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. |
