Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m), Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A shrubby or small sized tree up to 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are oval to elliptic, measuring up to 10 cm long, glossy green with irregularly white margins. |
| Stems | Branches exude milky, latex-like sap when wounded. |
| Fruit | This plant rarely fruits under cultivation. |
| Cultivation | This plant prefers full sun to partial shade with moderate watering. For indoor plants, care should be taken not to overwater, otherwise leaf drop and possibly root rot will occur. Light levels, watering and humidity should be kept as constant as possible to avoid leaf drop. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is a very popular indoor plant, also suitable for hedging. Plants can be pruned to desired shapes. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White, Cream / Off-White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1610 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2903 |
| 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. |
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