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Cyathula prostrata (L.) Blume
Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
Common Name: | Hookweed, Pastureweed, Nyarang, 杯苋, 倒扣草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.5 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Africa, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Pacific Islands |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Creeping herbaceous shrub with ascending or erect, red-tinged stems. |
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Foliage | Leaves hairy-velvety on both sides, rhomboid, oppositely arranged, with reddish margins when young. |
Flowers | Whitish to light greenish, 1-3 per cluster, produced on 20-30cm tall inflorescence raceme-pikes. Mixture of unisexual and bisexual flowers. Peripheral flowers sterile, with many stiff hooked awns. |
Fruit | Very small globose utricles (0.5mm across), with numerous tiny shiny-brown seeds. |
Habitat | Usually found in wastelands, disturbed areas, roadsides, hillsides and along rivers. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Parts of plant used as food, and to treat diarrhoea, dysentery. |
Landscaping Features
Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border |
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Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Flower |
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Many stiff hooked awns on inflorescence spikes. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Host Plant |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Hairy / Hirsute, Thin |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 618 |
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Species ID | 1913 |
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. |