Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China, Japan, Korea |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herb up to 0.5 m tall with procumbent stems (stems that lie along the ground without rooting). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves vary in shape from ovate to elliptic (1.5-4 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm wide). |
| Stems | Stems are 4-angled, hairy and furrowed with parallel grooves. |
| Flowers | Small, pink or white flowers are 2-lipped. The lower lip has 3 lobes and red spots, while the upper lobe is composed of 1 lobe with an indentation in the middle. Flowers are arranged in a terminal spike inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruit are known as capsules (4-6 mm wide). Each capsule contains 4 egg-shaped seeds (1 mm long, 1 mm wide). |
| Habitat | It occurs in grasslands, open fields, abandoned areas and along roadsides. |
| Cultivation | This species is not typically cultivated. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: This species contains antiviral compounds with low cytotoxicity. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 866 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2161 |
| 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. |
