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Rhaphiolepis indica (L.) Lindl. ex Ker
| Family Name: | Rosaceae |
| Common Name: | Indian hawthorn, 石斑木, 车轮梅 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, China |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Bushy shrub forming a compact, mound-like shape up to 1.8 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, leathery leaves are oblong to lanceolate (8-10 cm long) with toothed leaf margin. Young foliage is reddish to bronze. |
| Flowers | Lightly fragrant flowers (1.3 cm wide) are composed of 5 white to light pink, obovate petals. They are arranged in loose, branched clusters known as panicles. |
| Fruit | Berries are blue-black and contain 1-2 seeds. |
| Cultivation | Keep the leaves as dry as possible, because it is susceptible to fungal diseases like leaf spot. Although it will tolerate light shade, it grows best in full sun, producing more flowers and being less likely to develop leaf spot. Established plant can tolerate some drought, but it grows better when watered regularly. It grows slowly and is ideal for forming a low hedge or border. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Fruits) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Leathery, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Pink |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Remarks | Bronze |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Blue |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31178 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5572 |
| 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. |