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Spermacoce exilis (L.O.Williams) C.D.Adams ex W.C.Burger & C.M.Taylor
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Borreria exilis, Borreria gracilis, Borreria repens, Spermacoce mauritiana, Spermacoce decandollei |
| Common Name: | Pacific False Buttonweed, 二萼丰花草 |
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 | 0.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Neotropics (exact origin is not clear) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 0.3 m tall with a creeping to slightly ascending growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, smooth leaves are ovate or elliptic to oblong with entire leaf margin. |
| Flowers | White, shortly tubular flowers are arranged in a cluster between the uppermost pair of leaves. The petal-like lobes are triangular and about the same length as the tube. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruit is known as a capsule. The smooth, membranous or sometimes glossy fruit (1-1.1 mm long, 0.8-1 mm wide) is shaped like an ellipsoid, a 3-dimensional oval shape with circular or elliptic cross-sections. It produces shiny, brownish yellow seeds that are similar in shape (0.8 mm long, 0.4 mm wide). The seeds appear ridged due to numerous tiny, transverse pits in the surface. |
| Habitat | Widespread weed often found in disturbed areas at low elevation. This species prefers humid, tropical climates. |
| Cultivation | This species is a weed and not typically cultivated. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Obtuse |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Ridged / Corrugated |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31790 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6190 |
| 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. |
