Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South China, Taiwan, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial, woody climber or shrub. It can grow up to 3 to 10m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are simple and are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The young leaves are red and pubsecent, turning green, leathery and glabrous when mature. The leaf shape is oblong, elliptic-oblong or ovate-lanceolate with an acuminate leaf tip. |
| Stems | The young branches are pubescent. |
| Flowers | The bisexual flowers are borne on axillary racemes. The 5 free, petals are elliptical in shape and are white with a yellow or pink base with a fringed margin. The inflorescence is pubescent and is covered with yellowish brown hairs. |
| Fruit | The fruit is in the form of a samara with 3 papery, spreading oblong-lanceolate to elliptic wings |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Samara |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29992 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4301 |
| 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. |