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Breynia spatulifolia (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Sauropus spatulifolius Beille |
| Common Name: | Dragon's Tongue, 龙利叶 |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | North Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a small shrub growing about 40 cm tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | It's leaves are obovate-oblong to spatulate, green with white veins. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The leaves are harvested, dried and boiled for drinking. It is used for treatment of coughs, sore throat and acute bronchitis. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
References
| References | van Welzen, P.C., Pruesapan, K., Telford, I.R.H., Esser, H.-J. & Bruhl, J.J. (2014). Phylogenetic reconstruction prompts taxonomic changes in Sauropus, Synostemon and Breynia (Phyllanthaceae tribe, Phyllantheae). Blumea 59: 77–94. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1135 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2428 |
| 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. |
