Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous climber that is covered in thick woolly hairs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Young leaves are simple and become compound at maturity. Compound leaves ranged from 3-lobed to 3-5-folioate with sessile leaflets. Terminal leaflet is obovate (9.5–20 cm x 4–9.5 cm) while lateral leaflet is oblique ovate (5–18 cm × 2–10.5 cm). Leaf blade and both the upper and lower surfaces of the matured leaves are covered in dense woolly hairs which turn from white to brown with age. The brown veins of the leaves are very distinctive. |
| Stems | Stems are covered in densely hairs which turn brown with age. Stems can grow up to 8 mm wide at maturity. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence is 21 – 38 cm long in the form of a panicle of spikes with bisexual flowers. Each flowers have 4 – 5 green petals, a green disc and a dome-shaped calyx. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a red ovoid berry which is 8 mm wide, and bears 1 – 4 seeds. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Climbing Tendril |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
References
| References | Yeo, C. K., W. F. Ang & A. F. S. L. Lok. 2012. Pterisanthes (Vitaceae) of Singapore: With a Note on the Rediscovery of Pterisanthes cissioides Blume. Nature in Singapore. 5. 185-190 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32322 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6730 |
| 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. |
