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Leuconotis griffithii Hook.f.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Common Name: | Akar Gerip Putih, Akar Getah Sundik |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Thailand, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a woody climber up to 15 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oval and 4.5–19 by 2.3–8.6 cm. The leaf stalks are slightly swollen at the base of the leaf blades. |
| Flowers | Its orange-yellow flowers are found on short flowering clusters from the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Its smooth fruits are oval to pear-shaped and 3–4.6 by 2.4–3 cm. They usually contain two seeds that are up to 1.2 by 0.9 cm. |
| Habitat | It usually grows in evergreen forests at lower altitude. It occurs locally in Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Mandai forest. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. Its fruits are probably dispersed by mammals. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seeds. |
| Etymology | Greek leukos, white; Greek notis, sap, with white sap; Latin griffithii, commemorating William Griffith (1810–1845), a British botanist and surgeon |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The white sap yields rubber of fair quality. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for growing over trellises and pergolas in parks and gardens. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31882 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6283 |
| 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. |