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Burmannia coelestis D.Don
| Family Name: | Burmanniaceae |
| Common Name: | Short-leafed Burmannia, 三品一枝花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 10 cm to 40 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Andaman Islands, East Himalayas, Southeastern China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, Australia (Northern Territory), Caroline Islands. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Riverine, Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a slender herbaceous plant, up to 0.1–0.4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its basal rosette leaves are few, linear-lance-shaped, and 0.5–2 cm by 3 mm. Its cauline leaves are linear and 0.5–3 by 0.2–0.2 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are bluish purple with yellow tepals, 1–1.5 cm long, with a 4.5–13 mm long tube, 3–6 mm long bracts, and arranged in clusters of 2–6. |
| Fruit | Its capsule fruit is drop-shaped with ellipsoid seeds. |
| Habitat | It grows in sandy places and wet grasslands up to 300 m altitude. It occurs locally in the Sembawang area, along Lentor Avenue, Tampines Road, and other sites. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Latin Burmannia, commemorating J. Burmann (1707–1779); Latin coelestis, sky-blue or heavenly, referring to the flower colour |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Riverine, Marsh / Bog, Terrarium |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Shallow Media |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 443 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1739 |
| 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. |