Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 4 m to 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Climber which forms winding stems that are up to several meters long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves near the base of the stem are ovate (egg-shaped) to approximately reniform (kidney-shaped) and have long petioles (leaf stalks) up to 9 cm long. Leaves near the tip of the stem are ovate to ovate-oblong (intermediate between egg-shaped and elongated) and have almost no petiole and clasp the stem. They vary in size from 6-12 cm long and 3-12 cm wide. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male flowers are arranged in a narrow spike inflorescence (4-5 cm long, 3 mm wide). A male flower has 2 stamens which have short stalks and oval-shaped anthers (pollen-producing structure). Female flowers are also arranged in a spike inflorescence (1.5-2.5 cm long, 2.5-4 mm wide). |
| Fruit | When the female spike inflorescence bears fruit, it becomes 2-3 cm long. The tiny, round fruits contain a stony pit and are known as drupes (2 mm wide). |
| Habitat | They occur in forests at altitudes of about 600 m. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Powdery / Waxy Bloom |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Oblong, Reniform) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32003 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6405 |
| 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. |
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