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Ruspolia seticalyx
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Eranthemum seticalyx |
| Common Name: | Ruspolia |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Low growing herbaceous plant growing up to 1.25 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Light green, slightly hairy leaves are ovate to elliptic with entire leaf margin (8-23 cm long). |
| Flowers | Bright red or red-orange tubular flowers are composed of 5 elliptic lobes arranged in a star-shaped pattern. The base of the largest lobe has dark red markings in the shape of a triangle. Flowers are borne in a spike-like inflorescence at the stem tips, technically known as a terminal cymose cluster. |
| Fruit | Fruit is known as a capsule (3-3.8 cm long). |
| Habitat | Occurs in forests, thickets and rocky hills. Also found on termite mounds. |
| Similar | This species is similar to Ruspolia hypocrateriformis, except that it has rounded stems and slightly hairy leaves, while R. hypocrateriformis has angled stems and smooth leaves. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Orange-red |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29414 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3723 |
| 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. |
