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Spathoglottis plicata Blume
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Calanthe poilanei Gagnep., Phaius rumphii, Spathoglottis angustifolia, Spathoglottis daenikeri, Spathoglottis lilacina |
| Common Name: | Spathoglottis Orchid, Common Spathoglottis, Philippine Ground Orchid, Lumbah Tikus, Pleated Leaf Spathoglottis, Malayan Ground Orchid, 紫花苞舌兰 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 80 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Sri Lanka, Assam, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, Nansei-shoto, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku, Lesser Sunda Islands, Philippines, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Australia (Queensland), Caroline Islands, Cook Islands, Marianas, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Wallis-Futuna Islands. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Medium to large terrestrial orchid commonly found in Singapore. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Long, straplike leaves are light green and pleated. |
| Flowers | Pinkish purple, odourless flowers occur in groups of 5 - 30 and open a few at a time (4 cm wide). Flowers are composed of 1 dorsal sepal, 2 petals, 2 lateral sepals and a lip which are all pinkish purple. The terminal inflorescence is borne on a long stalk reaching up to 1.5 - 2 m in length. This species is free flowering. |
| Fruit | Seed pod is light green and cylindrical. |
| Habitat | Occurs on rocky, grassy slopes or dry lowland forests at altitudes of 0 - 700 m. |
| Associated Flora | The flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed or division of the pseudobulbs. |
| Etymology | The genus Spathoglottis means sheathed tongue, with reference to the spathulate-shaped lip. The specific epithet plicata means folded or plicate, by referring to the plicate leaves (with distinctive longitudinal folds). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Sumatra, the local communities of Lake Toba region made the whole plant in juice or crushed into a paste and applied topically for treating rheumatism or earache <1>. Others: It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It can be planted in parks and gardens, at open and sunny locations for its attractive purple flowers and bushy form. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division, Tissue Culture |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
References
| References | <1> Aswandi, A. & Kholibrina, C.R. (2021). Ethnomedicinal properties of orchidaceae by local communities in Lake Toba region, North Sumatra, Indonesia. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 914 012056. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1175 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2468 |
| 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. |
