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Aeschynanthus albidus Steud.

Family Name:	Gesneriaceae
Synonyms:	Aeschynanthus purpurascens Hassk.

Aeschynanthus albidus is an epiphyte that is critically endangered in Singapore. This species occurs naturally in lowland tropical rainforests and lower montane forests. Once considered nationally extinct in Singapore, it was remarkably rediscovered in 2007 in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. The plant displays green leaves that may feature light green or yellow mottling on the upper surface whilst the undersides create a striking contrast with green and purple-red mottling, or may be completely purple-red.

Semi Shade

Little Water

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Native to Singapore

Suitable for Hanging Baskets

Ornamental Flowers

Ornamental Leaves

Climber

Epiphyte

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Name Status (wrt SBG BG-BASE)
Synonyms
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Epiphyte, Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Irregular

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo and Java.
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Mountain)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a slender, erect epiphyte.
Foliage	Its opposite, shortly stalked leaves are fleshy, lance shaped or lens shape with a pointed tip, dull green on the topside and purple on the underside, 7.6 - 10.2 cm long by 2.5 - 3.8 cm wide.
Flowers	Its shortly-stalked flowers are borne singly or in small clusters at the leaf axils, with a short blackish-red calyx tube and a light green corolla with a rounded, sparsely hairy and purple-brown tipped lobe, 1.9 - 3.2 cm long.

Fruit	Its fruits are in the form of a cylindric capsule, 22 - 33 cm long.
Habitat	It grows in lowland freshwater swamp forests. It is critically endangered in Singapore and only known to occur in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. <1>
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are probably pollinated by insects and sunbirds.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed or stem cutting.
Etymology	Greek aischune, shame, Greek anthos, flower, referring to the curved corolla tube that resembles a bowed head. Latin albidus, white, with unknown reference.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is suitable for growing as an epiphyte on trees that are lightly shaded in inland parks and nature reserves.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Suitable for Hanging Baskets

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water, Little Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Propagation Method

Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green, Purple
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Thick

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Lanceolate)
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Cuneate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Green
Flower Grouping	Solitary, Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Axillary
Individual Flower Shape	Tubular

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Brown
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

References

References	<1> Lok, A.F.S.L. & Tan, H.T.W. (2008). Rediscovery of Aeschynanthus albidus (Blume) Steud. (Gesneriaceae) in Singapore. Nature in Singapore 1: 5–8.

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Master ID	30707
Species ID	5019
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.