Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Pacific Islands east to Fiji, Mauritius |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub up to 2m tall or more. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth, papery to thinly leathery leaves are obovate (egg-shaped with wider end near the tip), elliptic-oblong (elongated oval shape) or lanceolate (lance-shaped). |
| Stems | Reddish brown branches are hairless. |
| Flowers | Yellow, tubular flowers have 4 broadly ovate to oblong lobes (egg-shaped to elongated). The calyx or outermost layer of the flower is yellowish green. |
| Fruit | Red, dark purple fruit is fleshy, pitted and botanically known as a drupe. The fruit is ellipsoid (oval-shaped) and 7-8 mm long. |
Landscaping Features
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Toxic Upon Ingestion |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular, Cruciform / Cross-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1259 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5239 |
| 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. |