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Whitfieldia elongata
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ruellia longifolia |
| Common Name: | White Candles |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical West Africa |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Dark green, glossy leaves are elliptic with a distinctly wrinkled texture. Young leaves tend to be curled upward along the margin, while mature leaves are often strongly curled backwards. |
| Flowers | White, tubular flowers are composed of 4-6 elongated lobes. The stamens (pollen producing structures) are also white and extend well past the opening of the floral tube. The flowers are arranged along a spike-like inflorescence known as a raceme (up to 20 cm long). This species is free flowering, producing large numbers of flowers throughout the year. |
| Cultivation | In Singapore, this species is best grown in semi-shade, as full sun would be too intense for the leaves. It grows best in well-drained, sandy, slightly acidic soil that is kept slightly moist, as it is quickly wilts when the soil becomes dry. Many flowering shrubs require full sun to produce abundant blooms, but this species blooms well in semi-shade. The stem tips should be pinched to promote bushy growth. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Bulging in between Veins, Crinkled / Twisted |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular, Cruciform / Cross-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1258 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2551 |
| 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. |