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Dorstenia bahiensis Klotzsch ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
Family Name: | Moraceae |
Synonyms: | Dorstenia anthuriifolia Moric. |
Common Name: | Mattress Button Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Eastern Brazil |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Herb to 50cm tall. |
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Foliage | Papery, hairless leaves have 9-12 pairs of lateral veins which form loops. The petiole is 10-21 cm long. Leaf margin is irregularly lined with small, pointed or rounded teeth. Stipules occurring at the base of the petiole (leaf stalk) are approximately egg-shaped to triangular (0.5-1 cm long) and have a prominent midrib. |
Stems | The stem is hairless and 6-12 mm thick. The point of leaf attachment on the stem is up to 1 cm apart. |
Flowers | Tiny male and female flowers are interspersed on a disk-shaped receptacle which is dark purple to purplish brown above and green to purplish on the sides. The peduncle (inflorescence stalk) is hairless and 5-15 cm long. The flowering face initially points downward and eventually points upwards. |
Others - Plant Morphology | Dorstenia bahiensis has yellow latex which is a distinctive characteristic found in only a few species. |
Habitat | Occurs in moist, shady areas at low elevation. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
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Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
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Water Preference | Lots of Water, Occasional Misting |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Dentate, Crenate |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Truncate / Square, Cordate |
Typical Foliar Area | Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green - Light Green |
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Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Months |
Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Infloresence (hypanthodium) purplish black |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
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Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 30996 |
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Species ID | 5383 |
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. |