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Breynia androgyna (Variegated)
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Sauropus androgynus (Variegated) |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Slender, with short lateral branching. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves oval, white/silvery variegated, 4-5cm long, grow in distinctly opposite pairs along stems. |
| Flowers | Flowers apetalous, small but prominently produced in leaf axils. Female flowers have 6 red sepals surrounding a single creamy-coloured pistil, male flowers have 6 creamy sepals enclosing 3 reddish stamens. |
| Fruits | Fruits are white explosive capsules with persistent red calyxes and many black seeds, resembling small white mangosteens. |
| Cultivation | Takes full sun to semi-shade. Adapted to acidic soils, tolerates occasional flooding. Prune or harvest every few months to keep plant tidy, and prevent lanky plants from falling over. Pruning also rejuvenates the plant, which otherwise tends to die out. Propagation is usually by stem cuttings which root easily. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Landscape Uses | Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Tip) |
| Propagule Establishment Remarks | Stem cuttings root easily. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Bluish Green, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Unisexual Flowers |
|---|---|
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 2 | Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | White |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31199 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5593 |
| 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. |
