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Phyllanthus angustifolius (Sw.) Sw.
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Phyllanthus elongatus, Phyllanthus cognatus |
| Common Name: | Swordbush, Duppy Bush, Foliage Flower |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An evergreen, perennial, medium-sized shrub with flattened, leaf-like stems. It can reach a height of up to 2 m and a spread of 1 m. |
|---|---|
| Crown | It has a rounded growth habit. |
| Foliage | The leaf-like structures are actually flattened stems. The real foliage are absent except on seedlings. |
| Stems | Stems are dark green, flattened and leaf-like. |
| Flowers | White to pale pinkish flowers are arranged in small clusters along both edges of flattened stems. |
| Etymology | The genus Phyllanthus means leaf-flower, which means flower occurs at the edges of leaf-like phyllodes. The specific epithet angustifolius means narrow-leaved. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It can be pruned regularly to maintain as small shrub, suitable as potted plant. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Stems, Fragrant (Flowers) |
| Landscape Uses | General, Small Gardens, Coastal, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Modification | Phyllode |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Cauliflorous |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Salverform |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32246 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6654 |
| 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. |
