Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium to large-sized shrub, able to grow up to 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are egg-shaped, oval or oblong (5-10 cm long). |
| Flowers | Large, yellow flowers (3.5-5 cm long) are composed of 5 round, widely spread petals (15-25 mm long). After the petals drop, the calyx or outermost layer of the flower turns bright red and becomes swollen. |
| Similar | This species resembles Ochna serrulata, but it has larger flowers (3.5-5 cm wide compared to 2-3 cm wide) and larger leaves (5-10 cm long compared to 2-6 cm long). |
| Etymology | This species is commonly known as Mickey Mouse Plant because mature fruits are black and hang from a bright red calyx (outermost layer of the flower). Genus Ochna comes from an ancient Greek name "oxnh", which was used by Homer for a wild pear. Species kirkii is named in honor of Thomas Kirk, who was a writer on New Zealand plants. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 979 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2273 |
| 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. |
