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Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Kurz
Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
Synonyms: | Echites religiosus |
Common Name: | Wild Water Plum, Water Jasmine, Sacred Buddhist, 水梅 |
Name
Family Name | |
Genus Epithet | |
Species Epithet | |
Name Authority | |
Name Status (botanical) | |
Synonyms | |
Common Names |
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Thailand & Malaysia |
Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Shrub having an approximately flat top and grows up to 2 m tall. |
Foliage | Thin, smooth leaves are light green, oval and have smooth edges (entire leaf margin). They are arranged in pairs (opposite) and lack petioles (sessile). |
Flowers | Intensely fragrant, white flowers are composed of 5 obovate petals arranged in a star-like pattern. The black tipped stamens are fused together at the tip in a column. The flowers are arranged in small clusters in the leaf axils. This species flowers frequently throughout the year. |
Etymology | Genus Wrightia is named after Dr William Wright (1740 - 1827), who was a Scottish physician and botanist and who also identified the indigenous Jamaican species, Cinchona jamaicensis, in 1777. Species religiosa means sacred and of religious rites. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Cultural / Religious ( In Thailand, Buddhist monks often plant this species near their temples.) |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers) (Day), Ornamental Flowers |
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Landscape Uses | Bonsai, Flowerbed / Border, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Skyrise / Balcony |
Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Root Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Foliar Base | Acute |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Green |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Image Repository
Images |
Others
Master ID | 1263 |
Species ID | 2556 |
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. |