Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 1 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Short, herbaceous plant up to 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Simple, opposite leaves are elliptic to narrowly ovate with an irregularly toothed leaf margin. Sunken veins create an uneven, quilt-like leaf surface. |
| Flowers | Small, purplish flowers are densely arranged in a spike inflorescence. |
| Associated Fauna | It is pollinated by bees and small butterflies. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Herb or Spice): The leaves provide a cinnamon-like flavor. They can be used to make teas, soups or sauces that call for basil. Others: The leaves are used in potpourri for their cinnamon-like fragrance. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flower Size | 4 mm |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31154 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5548 |
| 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. |
