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Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.
Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
Synonyms: | Calopogonium brachycarpum Hemsl., Calopogonium orthocarpum Urb. |
Common Name: | Calopo, Calapo, Wild Ground Nut |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Climber, Creeper |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Tropical America |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Perennial herb with a creeping, trailing, or climbing growth habit. |
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Foliage | Compound, trifoliate leaves are round to ovate with entire leaf margin. |
Flowers | Blue or purple, pea-like flowers. |
Fruit | Linear pods covered in long, soft reddish brown hairs. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Agriculture - Forestry: Used as a cover crop in agricultural fields to stabilize and enrich the soil, as well as prevent weeds from growing. Others: Used as forage for cattle in tropical Asia and Africa during the dry season when more palatable species are scarce. |
Landscaping Features
Landscape Uses | Groundcover |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
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Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
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Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | |
Mature Seed Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, [Remarks] (Reddish Brown) |
Mature Seed Texture(s) | Smooth |
Seed Description | Flattened and approximately square (2-3 mm long). |
Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5), Moderate (6-10) |
Plant Sexuality (non-Angiosperm) | Monoecious |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 31346 |
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Species ID | 5743 |
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. |