Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A small compact shrub, it can grow up to 20cm in height and has a flat, broad surface. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The ovate leaves are variegated and exude a white milky latex when broken. Leaf margin is entire. |
| Flowers | The flowers are white in colour and shaped like pinwheels. |
| Cultivation | It is best grown under full sun. |
| Etymology | The genus Tabernaemontana is named after Jacob Theodore Mueller von Bergzabern of Heidelberg, a physician and herbalist. The specific epithet divaricata means wide-spreading, straggling which refers to the growth habit. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is good for planting along borders or in flowerbeds as a low-lying shrub. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, White, Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31650 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6049 |
| 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. |
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