Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial, Biennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Biennial or perennial herb up to 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green, glossy leaves have pointed lobes and a toothed leaf margin. Crushed leaves have a ginseng-like aroma. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is a compound umbel composed of small, white flowers arranged in a radiating pattern contained within a single plane. |
| Habitat | It occurs on sandy soils in East Asia. |
| Cultivation | This species grows best in moist, but well-drained soil. In Singapore, this plant is best grown under semi-shade. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The leaves are consumed raw or cooked as a vegetable. They contain a wide variety of nutrients, such as beta-carotene, calcium and iron. This species contains vitamin B which is not normally found in terrestrial plants and an exceptionally high concentration of folic acid. The roots are cooked or pickled. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Compound Umbel |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31997 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6399 |
| 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. |