Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green and yellow mottled leaves are narrowly ovate with toothed margin. |
| Stems | Stems are dark red and round. |
| Flowers | Small, purplish flowers appear to wrap around the stem at intervals along a spike inforescence. The whorl-like cluster of flowers is known as a verticillaster. |
| Fruit | The fruit is composed of 4 nutlets (a small, one-seeded fruit which is dry and indehiscent). |
| Cultivation | In Singapore, this form requires 4-5 hours of morning sun, but does not grow well when exposed to intense afternoon sun. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Herb or Spice): The leaves can be used to add mint flavour to drinks and desserts. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Tip) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular, Labiate / Lipped |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Inflorescence Type Remarks | Verticillasters are arranged along a spike inflorescence. |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32000 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6402 |
| 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. |
