Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Emergent Aquatic) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Europe |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A herbaceous perennial, it can reach a height of 1m. It has an upright form. |
|---|---|
| Roots | The roots are tuberous and are produced on creeping runners. |
| Foliage | The simple leaves are arranged in a spiral and have a long triangular petiole. The leaf blade is arrow-shaped and glossy. |
| Flowers | The flowers are borne on an flower inflorescence and are arranged in whorls of 3. The flowers are monoecious, both male and female flowers occur on the same plant, the upper flowers generally having stamens. Each flower has three sepals and three white petals with a purple spot at the base. |
| Habitat | It can be found in water bodies with slow-moving water such as reservoirs, swamps and ponds. |
| Cultivation | The plant is best grown under full sun in consistently wet soil or submerged in shallow water. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Storage Organs Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The starchy, tuberous roots can be eaten cooked and should not be eaten raw. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Water) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Tuberous Root) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Sagittate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31614 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6013 |
| 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. |
