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Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don
| Family Name: | Campanulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Isotoma longiflora, Laurentia longiflora |
| Common Name: | Star of Bethlehem, Madam Fate |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Semi-Annual / Annual-Like |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Caribbean |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Small perennial herb found growing naturally in moist shady places, such as under shrubs, reaching a height of about 70 cm. Although grown by some gardeners as an ornamental plant for its flowers, it is also considered a weedy species by some as it is difficult to remove from gardens.Leaves lanceolate with pointed serrated edges. Base leaves arranged in a rosette, stem leaves alternatte. Flowers white and star-like. All parts of the plant poisonous, containing an acrid poison (lobelanidine) in the form of a white sap that produces a burning sensation in the mouth and throat and irritates the eyes, even causing blindness. Recommended to wear gloves when handling the plant. |
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Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence), Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 894 |
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| Species ID | 2188 |
| 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. |