Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Waterside / Marginal) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China (Southern Hainan), Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Fleshy herb to 1m in height |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves mid - dark green, linear to linear lanceolate, to 20cm in length. Mid vein white - pale silvery green, often with a pink/ red tinge. Under surface of leaf pale green, mid vein flushed with pink/ red. |
| Stems | Plant many branched; stems very pale green, often tinged with red, 4-angled in cross section. |
| Flowers | Flowers yellowish or pink |
| Fruit | Berries dark purplish red when ripe |
| Habitat | In swampy areas, wetlands, next to lakes; also as a weed in rice fields. In Singapore, this species has naturalized. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Riverine, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Light Green, Pink, Red |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Red, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red, Purple |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30007 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4316 |
| 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. |