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Thalia dealbata Fraser ex Roscoe
| Family Name: | Marantaceae |
| Synonyms: | Maranta dealbata, Thalia barbata, Ataenidia biflora, Ataenidia stricta, Ataenidia dealbata |
| Common Name: | Powdery Alligator Flag, Powdery Canna, Powdery Thalia, Water Canna |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Emergent Aquatic, Waterside / Marginal), Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central & Southeastern USA, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | This emergent aquatic plant grows up to 1.7 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | It has bright green, lance-shaped leaves. |
| Stems | It has dark reddish stems. |
| Flowers | It produces dense clusters of small, purple flowers. |
| Cultivation | It can be planted near pond margins with the soil surface submerged up to 10-15 cm. A dense planting will form a colourful, attractive hedge. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: In addition to absorbing excess nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorous, it also accumulates permethrin which is used as an insecticide or insect repellant. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Riverine, Swimming Poolside, Container Planting, Phytoremediation (Ground / Water Contaminant(s)) |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1209 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2502 |
| 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. |
