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Acalypha siamensis
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Common Name: | Tumput, Teh Kampong, 菱叶铁苋菜 |
Acalypha siamensis is a small shrub which grows up to 2.5 m tall that has rhombic leaves. It grows well under full sun and can tolerate partial shade. This plant can be propagated by seed or stem cuttings.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Indies & Pacific islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub, able to grow up to 2.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves have a short petiole, pubescent, serrated along the margins, elliptic to obovate in shape, alternately arranged. |
| Flowers | Female flowers at the base of the spikes, subtended by large bracts with toothed margins; male flowers subtended by minute bracts toward the end of the spike. |
| Fruit | Fruits are green and spiny. |
| Etymology | Genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek word akelpe, which means unpleasant to touch. Species siamensis means from Thailand. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In South-east Asia it is used as tea. Malaysian used to treat fever. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Thorny / Spiny |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 292 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1588 |
| 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. |
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