Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial herb which can grow up to 80 cm tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves growing on stem are linear to lanceolate in shape, measuring 4 - 10 cm by 2 - 5 mm, with serrulate margin and acuminate apex. |
| Stems | Stems are erect and glabrous. |
| Flowers | Flowers are arranged loosely in cyme type, whereby each cyme has 2 to several flowers; bracts are leaf-like, 6 or 8, and appressed (pressed closely but not fused together), ovate-shaped. Calyx (sepal) is green, long tubular and measuring 3 - 4 cm, glabrous, with sharply pointed apex. Petals are pink in colour, obovate or cuneately oblong in shape. |
| Fruit | Capsule, narrowly cylindrical in shape. |
| Habitat | Common in forests, slopes of grassy mountains or exposed rocky areas, grasslands, and by the riverbeds. |
| Etymology | The genus Dianthus is Greek, which means Zeus-flower. The specific epithet longicalyx means elongated calyx. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The seeds extract are used as cosmetic ingredients as they are said to have antioxidant effects. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Cyme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32057 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6462 |
| 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. |
