Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Mode of Nutrition | Heterotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China, Hong Kong, Australia, Southeast Asia, including Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A hyper-parasitic shrub, usually measuring about 25 - 50 cm in length. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Opposite green leaves, elliptic to obovate, leathery, measuring about 2 - 6.5 by 1.5 - 3 cm, leaf stalk measuring about 2 - 4 mm. |
| Flowers | Axillary inflorescence, usually 3-flowered, monoecious, female flower at the centre and male flowers in lateral positions. Female flowers measuring about 1.5 - 2 mm, male flowers measuring about 2 - 3 mm. |
| Fruit | Yellow to orange berries, globular and measuring about 3 - 5 mm wide. |
| Associated Flora | It has been observed growing on Excoecaria agallocha and Pemphis acidula in Singapore. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Green |
References
| References | Yang et al. 2013. The current status of mangrove forests in Singapore. Proceedings of Nature Society, Singapore's conference on 'Nature Conservation for a Sustainable Singapore' - 16th October 2011. pp 99 - 120. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32148 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6554 |
| 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. |
