Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 1.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil, South and Central America. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb forming large clumps up to 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Stiff, linear leaves are dark green with entire leaf margin (0.9-1.5 m long). |
| Flowers | Light blue to bluish purple, iris-like flowers (7.5-10 cm wide) only last for about a day, but are continuously produced over a long period of time. The flowers are set above the foliage on a flattened floral stalk. |
| Cultivation | For container plantings, use only very deep pots. It grows best in moist, but well-drained soils, and needs abundant water when in bloom. |
| Etymology | The species is commonly known as Apostle Plant, because some people believe that the plant needs to have 12 leaves before it flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Potential Problems | It is prone to attack by snails. |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29400 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3709 |
| 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. |
