Back
Turnera ulmifolia
| Family Name: | Turneraceae |
| Synonyms: | Turnera alba, Turnera angustifolia |
| Common Name: | West Indian Holly, Sage Rose, Yellow Alder, Yellow Turnera, Holy Rose, Lidah Kucing |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| 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 | Erect shrub that grows up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Deeply veined leaves are lanceolate with serrate (toothed) leaf margin. |
| Flowers | Yellow, star-shaped flowers are composed of 5 unequal, oval-shaped petals with rounded tips. Flowers close in the afternoon. |
| Habitat | This species has become naturalised in Singapore and is more common in the east. Often found on dry soils in shady locations. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| 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 |
|---|
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. |
