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Allamanda blanchetii A.DC.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Allamanda purpurea, Allamanda violacea |
| Common Name: | Purple Allamanda, 紫蝉花, 大紫蝉 |
Allamanda blanchetii (Purple Allamanda) is an evergreen climber boasting purplish pink to violet trumpet flowers and glossy green leaves. Flowering all year round, Purple Allamanda attracts biodiversity such as sunbirds for nectar in the 5-petalled flowers and is an attractive specimen, perfect for trellis and pergolas in parks and gardens.
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | North Eastern Brazil. |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Exotic (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Evergreen climbing shrub that grows 1.5 m – 3 m high. |
| Foliage | Green elliptic leaves, about 10 cm – 20 cm wide, are arranged in whorls of four. Leaves are hairy with acuminate apex and entire leaf margin. |
| Stems | Twinning stems covered with bristle-like hairs. |
| Flowers | Terminally borne flowers are purplish pink to violet, 5 cm to 6.5 cm wide with a yellowish tube. |
| Fruits | The fruit are in the form of prickly capsules which split open to release winged seeds. |
| Habitat | In its native habitat, it grows in dry secondary forests, mangrove swamps, and lowland riverbanks. It is also found naturalized in disturbed areas and along roadsides. |
| Cultivation | Grow on well-drained and moist loamy soil, under full sun with moderate watering. It does not prefer wet soil. Plant can grow fast once established, therefore require pruning regularly. |
| Etymology | The genus Allamanda is given after Dr. Frederick Allamand, or Jean Allamand who sent seeds of this plant to Linnaeus. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal ( Brazil: the roots and other parts are used in traditional medicine.) |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Grown as ornamental plant on trellises and pergolas, for its large and showy pinkish purple to violet trumpet-shaped flowers. |
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Groundcover, Hedge / Screening, Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Bird & Wildlife Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting, Butterfly Food Plant |
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Pruning | Regular pinching will encourage dense growth. Excessive pinching will reduce formation of flower buds which inhibit new growth. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
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 | Whorled |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Pink |
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flower Size - Width | 6 cm |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Black |
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Thorny / Spiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 6 |
| Species ID | 1302 |
| 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. |
