Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central and South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a gigantic, rhizomatous and unbranched herb. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are spiral with with ligulate sheaths, oblong to oblanceolate shaped, apex acuminate, base cuneate to rounded. Ligules are short or sometimes absent. |
| Stems | The stem is very stout, consisting of leafless sheaths. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence, bracts are green to yellowish-green, leathery, ovate in shape. The calyx (sepal) is large, tubular, 3 parts of unequal lobes, often bigger than bracts. Corolla is 3-lobed, white or light yellow in colour. Its labellum is large and showy, either white or yellow. Stigma is cup-shaped while stamen is petaloid. |
| Fruit | Capsule, slightly fleshy. Seeds are black and glossy with tiny white aril. |
| Habitat | They are mostly found in wet forests and along the river beds. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Medicinal: It is used in Panama by the Kuna Indians to treat hypertension and some cardiovascular diseases. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate, Spiral |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong, Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
|---|
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29623 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3932 |
| 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. |
