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Tetracera scandens (L.) Merr.
| Family Name: | Dilleniaceae |
| Common Name: | Stone Leaf, Akar mempelas putih, 毛果锡叶藤 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China southward to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi and the Philippines. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A large evergreen woody climber with a twining growth habit, it can be grown as a shrub. The stems can reach up to 30m in length or 2m in height as a shrub. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The simple ovate leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, the new foliage being reddish-pink before turning green as it matures. The leaf is scabrid (rough to the touch) with an acute leaf apex, a serrated leaf margin and penninerved leaf venation. |
| Flowers | The small white flowers are borne on terminal panicles. |
| Habitat | It is found in thickets and secondary forest, especially on riverbanks and near the sea coast. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Indonesia, a poultice of finely crushed young shoots is used to treat snake bites, while in Malaysia, a decoction of the whole plant is used as a post-natal tonic. A study has shown that crude aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaves have an anti-diabetic efficacy, similar to the known oral synthetic hypoglycaemic drug, glibenclamide. Others: The rough leaves are used to polish small metal articles. Heated and twisted, the stems may be used as durable bindings for fish traps. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Rough |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Pink, Red |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31424 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5821 |
| 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. |
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