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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) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Eastern Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herb to 50cm tall. |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30996 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
