Back
Miconia dependens (Pav. ex D.Don) Judd & Majure
| Family Name: | Melastomataceae |
| Synonyms: | Clidemia capitellata (Bonpl.) D.Don |
This species resembles the invasive shrub Koster's Curse (scientific name: Clidemia hirta) but is significantly more hairy.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Mexico to Colombia & the West Indies |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Densely hairy and deeply veined leaves are elliptic with elongated tips. |
| Flowers | White, sessile (stalkless) flowers are composed of 5-8 rounded petals. They occur at the tips of short branches and are arranged along a central axis in clusters. |
| Fruit | The purple to black, oval berries are hairy and have triangular, persistent calyx lobes (hairy, leafy structures at the tip that form a small, crown-like appendage). This species is able to reproduce asexually where viable seed is produced from unfertilised eggs. |
| Habitat | This species has become naturalised in Singapore (Chen et al., 2018). Prior to that time, it was only known to be naturalised in the Americas. |
| Similar | This species is similar to the invasive shrub Clidemia hirta, but its fruit has triangular persistent calyx lobes, while the latter has linear ones. Its inflorescence stalk is much longer than that of Clidemia hirta. |
| Taxonomy | This species shows significant morphological variation among individuals. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Ciliate / Hairy |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34191 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8604 |
| 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. |
