Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic, Heterotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Compact rosette up to about 7 cm wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Obovate leaves are arranged in a rosette. |
| Flowers | Pink flowers are arranged singly along an inflorescence stalk. Each flower is composed of 4 obovate petals and has a yellow centre with dark pink markings. To increase the likelihood of successful pollination, the female part of the flower (known as a style) taps visiting pollinators on the back to pick up any pollen that might be there. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Scientists disagree whether Stylidium debile should be considered carnivorous or protocarnivorous (as ancestor of today's carnivorous plants). The flower scape (the inflorescence stalk which emerges from the rhizome) is covered in sticky hairs that trap insects and also produce digestive enzymes. |
| Cultivation | This easy-to-grow plant grows best in full sun, but also tolerates light shade. It should be watered with mineral-free water, such as distilled, reverse osmosis or rainwater. It grows well in a mixture of half peat and half sharp sand which is always kept moist. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Easy to Grow |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Nanophyll ( 0.25cm2 - 2.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32953 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7367 |
| 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. |