Back
Drimiopsis botryoides subsp. botryoides
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Drimiopsis kirkii |
| Common Name: | Giant Squill, Measles Leaf |
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 | 0.1 m to 0.2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Ethiopia to Tanzania |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small, herbaceous perennial grows from bulbs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Foliage fleshy, smooth, lanceolate or elliptical to oblong with entire leaf margin, light green leaves have small, irregular, dark green spots, erect to flat, measuring around 18 cm long and 8 cm wide. |
| Flowers | Small, green to white, bell-shaped flowers are arranged on a spike-like raceme inflorescence that may bend over slightly at the tip, measuring around 15 cm long, each flower tepal is about 3 - 6 mm long. |
| Fruit | Typically, cultivated plants do no produce fruits. Capsule, subglobose to ovoidal in shape, measuring around 5 mm long. |
| Cultivation | This species is easy-to-grow. It should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil that is kept moist. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is often grown indoors as a small potted plant. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Shallow Media |
| Propagation Method | Leaf Cutting, Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | For leaf cuttings, cut a leaf into small pieces (about 3 cm long) and insert one of the cut edges in moist soil. Keep soil moist and plantlets will form along the cut edges. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Seed Description | Seeds measuring around 3 mm long. |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 677 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1972 |
| 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. |
