Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
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. |
| Fruit | 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 or Spice) Others: Dried fruit is believed to be able to treat cough, sinusitis, poor digestion and throat infection. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| 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) | 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
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. |
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