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Matourea azurea (Linden) Colletta & V.C.Souza
| Family Name: | Plantaginaceae |
| Synonyms: | Achetaria azurea (Linden) V.C.Souza, Otacanthus azureus (Linden) Ronse , Otacanthus caeruleus Lindl. |
| Common Name: | Amazon Blue, Brazilian Snapdragon |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Compact shrub, growing up to about 1.0 - 1.2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Bright green, arranged oppositely along the stem. |
| Flowers | Purplish-blue flowers, measuring about 3.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, and having a characteristic of a large flat lower lip. Flowers are borne in clusters, called as spike, and located at the terminal end of plant. |
| Cultivation | Propagated via stem cutting. Pinch back to promote bushiness. Grows best under full sun. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Groundcover |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
References
| References | Colletta, G.D., Scatigna, A.V. & Souza, V.C. (2020). Assessment of Matourea pratensis (Plantaginaceae: Gratioleae) reveals an older name for Achetaria. Taxon 69 (6): 1354-1360. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 996 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2290 |
| 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. |