Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Floating Aquatic) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Europe, Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Northen Africa, Tropical Africa and North America. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An aquatic floater. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Each fronds has 6 to 12 roots. |
| Foliage | The the leaves and stems are merged to form a structure called a frond or a callus. The fronds are obovate to orbicular, 3 to 10mm long and are flat. The upper side of the fronds are dark green while the underside of the fronds are red. The fronds have conspicuous radiating nerves, giving it a peltate apperance. The daughter fronds are produced from 2 reproductive pouches located at the base of the mother frond. |
| Habitat | It is found in slow-moving waters and eutrophic waters such as ditches, ponds, marshes and lakes. It is also found in slow-moving base-rich waters. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It can absorb nitrogen and phosphorous rapidly and is able to accumulate iron and copper. It is also used as animal fodder due to their high fat and protein content. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Pond / Lake / River, Phytoremediation |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow |
| Propagation Method | Division |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31863 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6264 |
| 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. |