Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Leggy |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Origin uncertain, but possibly Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb up to 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Broadly ovate (egg-shaped) leaves are divided into 3 lobes (sometimes up to 5) which are triangular to ovate-orbicular (intermediate between egg-shaped and round). |
| Flowers | Funnel-shaped flowers are initially white or yellowish, and then turn reddish or purple. The cup-shaped calyx (outermost layer of the flower) is composed of 5 triangular, hairy lobes. The stamens (male, pollen-bearing structure) form a 1-2 cm long column. They occur individually in the leaf axil (the space between the upper leaf surface and the stem). |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. They are egg-shaped with a pointed tip and have 3-4 compartments (3.5-5 cm long). The egg-shaped seeds are unattached and free within the fruit and attached to white, wooly fibers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: A root decoction (the liquid obtained by boiling roots in water) is used to treat asthma, dysentery and diarrhoea. Agriculture - Forestry: The woolly fibers attached to the seeds are used to make various types of cloths. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Self-Pollinated) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Propagation Ease | Easy |
| Seed / Spore Germination Duration | 5 days to 10 days |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square, Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Red, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Funnelform / Funnel-shaped |
| Flower Transitional Changes | Colour |
| Flowering Period | A Few Times Yearly |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Moderate (6-10) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31084 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5473 |
| 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. |