Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Africa |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial herb, it can grow up to 30cm tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its spirally-arranged, thin, linear leaves are greyish-green, arising from a tuberous rootstock. The leaves also give off the scent of garlic when bruised. |
| Flowers | The fragrant, purple flowers are arranged at the tip of a stalked inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are triangular capsules which split open when ripe. |
| Cultivation | It is best grown under full sun, in well-drained soil. Plants can tolerate partial shade with decreased flowering. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers Food (Herb or Spice): The leaves are edible and are used as flavouring in soups and salads. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers, Foliage) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Parks & Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1239 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2532 |
| 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. |
