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Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Alysicarpus nummalarifolius sensu auct., Alysicarpus nummularifolius sensu auct., Alysicarpus nummularifolius (L.) DC. |
| Common Name: | White Moneywort, 链荚豆 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Creeper, Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Old World Tropics |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant with a creeping growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Simple, oval-shaped leaves with entire leaf margin. Mostly green with a whitish streak along the midvein. |
| Flowers | Pea-like flowers are reddish yellow or light purple (6 mm long). |
| Fruit | Long, thin pods have distinct segmentation between seeds. Dark red seeds are oval to oblong (1 - 1.5 mm long). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Agriculture - Forestry: It helps to improve soil condition and protect against erosion.
Others: This species is good forage for horses and cattle and tolerates heavy grazing well. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Red |
| Seed Description | Oval to oblong |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31341 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5738 |
| 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. |