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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico to Ecuador |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large, erect herbaceous plant forms clumps up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, oval to egg-shaped leaves are held upright by long petioles which emerge from the ground. The topside is dark green, while the underside is greyish green with typically purplish margins. |
| Stems | This plant has underground, horizontal stems known as rhizomes. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is composed of yellow boat-shaped bracts which are tightly stacked in 2 adjacent files that resemble the tail of a rattlesnake (up to 25 cm long). Thin, yellow tubular flowers occur at the tips of the bracts and have 3 lobes. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits, known as a capsules, are egg-shaped and 1.3 cm long. They contain dark blue seeds. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 451 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1747 |
| 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. |
