Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 12 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Borneo, Java, and Sulawesi |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a climber that has stems up to 12 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have somewhat leathery or fleshy leaf blades that are green with white blotches or spots, and up to about 15 by 14 cm. It has two kinds of leaves: juvenile leaves when it is young at the lower portions of its stem, and mature leaves at the tip of the plant that is higher up. Its juvenile leaves have leaf blades that are egg-shaped or heart-shaped, while in mature leaves, they are oblong, lance- or heart-shaped, and pale green below. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are found on a cylindrical, white, 3–6 cm-long shoot (spadix) enclosed by a flesh-coloured white, 5–7 cm-long, modified leaf (spathe). |
| Fruit | Its fruit is a dark green, 1-seeded berry. |
| Habitat | It grows on trees in forests. It currently occurs in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are probably dispersed by birds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | Greek skindapsos, ivy plant; Latin pictus, brightly coloured, referring to the colours of the leaf blades |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is used as an indoor climber or ornamental plant for its attractive, white-spotted green, juvenile leaves. It can also be grown in semi-shaded areas in outdoor landscape designs. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine, Groundcover, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Terrarium |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong, Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
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) | Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31628 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6027 |
| 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. |
