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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 1 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant with erect growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Simple, palmately lobed leaves have an irregular, toothed leaf margin. The leaf blade bulges between veins, creating a bumpy, uneven surface. The petiole is long, cylindrical and sparsely covered in soft, white hairs. |
| Flowers | Large, cream-coloured flowers are funnel-shaped. |
| Fruit | Conical, elongated fruits have smooth edges and are covered in soft, white hairs. Botanically known as capsules, they are green and fleshy when immature, later becoming dried at maturity and splitting open to release round seeds. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit is often consumed as a cooked vegetable. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as steaming, stir frying and boiling. When added to soups, it helps to thicken the broth. It contains few calories, but is rich in Vitamin C, calcium and iron. |
Landscaping Features
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32110 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6516 |
| 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. |
