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Juanulloa mexicana (Schltdl.) Miers
| Family Name: | Solanaceae |
| Synonyms: | Juanulloa aurantiaca |
| Common Name: | Gold Finger |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central and South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A woody vine or shrub, it can grow over 1 m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are elliptic to ovate about 6 to 22 cm long. Leaf margin is entire and both base and apex are rounded to acute. The upper surface is hairless while the underside is hairy, which are arranged in a star-shaped manner. |
| Flowers | The flower is tubular (about 4 to 4.5 cm long), orange coloured and borne in a cluster. Calyx is tubular, 5-angled, ridged and orange coloured. The corolla is slightly longer than the calyx, protruding out and enlarging upwards with 5 short and rounded segments. |
| Cultivation | Plant in a well-drained, moist soil, Plant blooms best under full sun but can tolerate semi shade conditions. |
| Etymology | The genus Juanulloa is named after George Juan and Antonio Ulloa, Spanish explorers of Peru. The specific epithet aurantiaca means resembling an orange, in this case, refers to the orange-coloured flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its loose growth habit makes it ideal as ground cover on rocks or uneven ground. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Hairy / Hirsute |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Acute, Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick / Fleshy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31785 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6185 |
| 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. |