Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Submerged) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical and Sub-tropical America. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An aquatic, herbaceous perennial. It has a prostrate or erect growth form and can be grown emersed or full submerged in water. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are simple, sessile and lanceolate in shape. The leaves are longer, thinner and translucent when grown submerged in water. The leaves grown in emersed conditions are shorter, thicker and more imbricate. |
| Stems | The stems have different morphological characteristics when grown emersed or submerged. Submerged plants have long, trailing stems while stems grown in emersed conditions tend to be shorter and thicker with an erect growth habit. |
| Flowers | The flowers are bisexual and solitary. The flower sepals are green while the petals are white-pink to violet or maroon. Each flower bears 3 stamens and 3 fused, superior carpels. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a three-valved capsule. The seeds have a ridged and pitted seed coat. |
| Habitat | It is found along the water margins of lakes, ponds and rivers as well as shallow wetlands. |
| Cultivation | It is best grown under full sun and can be grown in temperatures of 20 to 30°C under aquaria conditions. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Aquarium / Aquascape |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | An invasive plant, do not set plant specimens free into waterbodies such as canals, or drains. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31557 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5956 |
| 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. |