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Turnera ulmifolia
| Family Name: | Turneraceae |
| Synonyms: | Turnera alba, Turnera angustifolia |
| Common Name: | Yellow Alder, West Indian Holly, Sage Rose, Yellow Turnera, Holy Rose, Lidah Kucing |
Turnera ulmifolia is a shrub that can reach 2 m tall with bright yellow flowers and dark green toothed leaves. This ornamental shrub grows best in full sun and well draining soil with moderate watering. The flowers are visited by bees.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | West Indies, Mexico to Argentina |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An erect shrub that grows up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Simple, lanceolate-shaped, dark green leaves are alternately arranged along the stems. The leaves have serrate (toothed) leaf edges. |
| Flowers | Yellow, star-shaped flowers are composed of 5 oval-shaped petals with rounded tips, and 5 yellowish-orange stamens. Flowers close in the afternoon. |
| Habitat | This species has become naturalised in Singapore. Often found on dry soils in shady locations. |
| Etymology | The genus Turnera is named for Reverend William Turner (1508-1568), a Tudor botanist of Wells, the author of A New Herbal (1568). |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1242 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2535 |
| 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. |
