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Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob.
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Compositae) |
| Synonyms: | Vernonia cinerea, Vernonia abbreviata, Vernonia arguta |
| Common Name: | Common Vernonia, Little Ironweed |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant grows up to 1 m tall but is typically found as a small herb about 0.3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves of widely variable size are oval with shallow teeth along the leaf margin. Leaf arrangement is alternate with 1 leaf per node or position on the stem. |
| Flowers | Composite flowers are composed of white to light purple disc florets with no ray florets. |
| Fruit | Small, brown fruits have fluffy white hairs called 'pappus' which help to disperse the fruits by wind. Each pappus is lined with 2 rows of bristly hairs. Fruits are arranged with the pappus facing outwards, forming a puffball shape. |
| Habitat | Commonly found along roadsides and abandoned areas. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Urceolate / Urn-shaped |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Inflorescence Size | 4 mm |
References
| References | Science Club River Valley High School. 1991. A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Schools in Singapore. Singapore: Hillview Publications. 169 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31414 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5811 |
| 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. |