Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial shrub with an erect growth habit. It can grow up to 0.9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are lanceolate in shape, with toothed margins, leaf blade measuring 2 - 9 cm long. Leaves are variegated with yellow and green. |
| Flowers | Flowers are star-shaped and light yellow, measuring about 6-10 mm long. Each flower is composed of 5 petals with irregularly notched tips and fused bases. Flowers usually occur singly, but sometimes in pairs or triplets, in the leaf axils. |
| Fruit | Fruits are composed of 5-8 mericarps (one-seeded fruitlets) which are red-brown to black with a pitted surface. |
| Etymology | The genus Sida is a term from Greek, which was used by Theophrastus for water-lily and pomegranate tree. The specific epithet acuta means acutely pointed, sharply angled at the top. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Modification | Stipule |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Splashes of yellow and green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32025 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6428 |
| 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. |
