Name
| Family Name | |
| Genus Epithet | |
| Species Epithet | |
| Name Authority | |
| Common Names | |
| Comments |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a climber with swollen nodes. |
| Foliage | Leaves are leathery and heart-shaped (5 cm – 10 cm long) with short petioles (0.6 cm – 2 cm). |
| Flowers | Flowers are tiny and white, clustering densely together to form inflorescence. Inflorescence is pendulous (2.5 – 4 cm long) and cylindrical. Flower stalk is about 1 -2 cm long and hairy. |
| Fruits | Fruit is globose (about 5 – 7 mm diameter), ripening from green to orange-red. Fruits are attached by stipe (3 – 7 mm long) that is covered with small grayish hairs. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb and Spice) [Others]: Dried fruit is believed to be able to treat cough, sinusitis, poor digestion and throat infection. |
Landscaping Features
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Maintenance Requirements | Unknown / Unselect |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Orange, Red |
References
| References | Suwanphakdee, C., Simpson, D.A., Hodkinson T.R. & Chantaranothai P. (2020). A synopsis of Thai Piper (Piperaceae). Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) 48(2): 145-183 |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 32010 |
| Species ID | 6412 |
| 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. |
