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Hedyotis diffusa Willd.
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Oldenlandia diffusa (Willd.) Roxb. |
| Common Name: | Snake-needle grass, 白花蛇舌草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Pantropical |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Similar | Looks similar to Oldenlandia corymbosa O. corymbosa has inflorescences (2-8, usually 3) in axillary with peduncle (stalk of an inflorescence) 8-15mm long and pedicel (small stalk that attaches single flower to the main stem of inflorescence) 4-8mm long. O. diffusa flower grows solitary or in pairs in axillary with very short or no peduncle. |
|---|---|
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb and Spice) Medicinal ( Oldenlandia diffusa has been used by the Chinese for medicinal purpose for the treatment of colorectal cancer. A study report from Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,NUS concluded "the ethanol extract of the herb effectively evoke cancer cell apoptosis." Besides that, it also has the function of anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation,anti-tumor,anti-virus and enhances immune system. One of most common product is oldenlandia water.) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Easy to Grow |
| Landscape Uses | Groundcover |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary, Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 769 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5248 |
| 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. |
