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Ixora nigricans R.Br. ex Wight & Arn.
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ixora nigricans var. genuina Kurz, Ixora nigricans var. typica Hochr., Pavetta nigricans (R.Br. ex Wight & Arn.) Miq., Ixora acutiflora (Reinw. ex Korth.) Reinw. ex Miq., Ixora affinis Wall. ex Craib |
| Common Name: | White Needles |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Himalaya, India, Java, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Myanmar, Nicobar Is., Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a large shrub to a small tree, growing up to 5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged along the stems; stipules is up to 0.9 cm long; leaf blade variable in shapes from elliptic to narrow obovate with acuminate apex and attenuate base; margin entire. Leaf measuring 13 cm x 4 cm |
| Stems | Smooth |
| Flowers | Light pink to white flowers borne in clusters, called as cyme, located terminally. These flowers are fragrant during the night. |
| Fruit | Berry type, 0.7 cm, globose-like shape, with two seeds. |
| Habitat | Commonly found in evergreen to dry forests, open and forested areas at an altitude of up to 1900 m. |
| Etymology | The genus Ixora is the name of Malabar deity, Iswara. The specific epithet nigricans means almost black. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In Bangladesh, the Chakma tribe used root extract to treat diarrhoea and ear infections, the Tanchangya tribe applied leaf paste to affected areas for treating boils, and the Marma tribe used root extract for treating vomiting. <1>
It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers) (Night) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
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 Modification | Stipule |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Attenuate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
References
| References | <1> Yusuf M. (2009). Crotalaria pallida Ait. In: Ahmed ZU, Hassan MA, Begum ZNT, Khondker M, Kabir SMH, Ahmed M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Haque EU (eds.). Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 8. Angiosperms: Dicotyledons (Fabaceae-Lythraceae). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka pp. 40-41. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33085 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7499 |
| 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. |
