Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Myanmar, Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a woody climber up to 20 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have almost leathery leaf blades that are usually egg-shaped-elliptic and 5–12 by 3–8 cm. |
| Flowers | Its much-branched, slender flowering shoot is up to 10 cm long, covered with dark red-brown hairs, and found at the leaf axils. These shoots also bear flowers with white petals. |
| Fruit | Its dry, indehiscent fruit is three-winged. The lateral wings form one large wing that is usually almost circular, while its small dorsal wing is broadest at the base. Its linear seed is 3–5 mm long and facing towards the tip of the wing. |
| Habitat | It grows in forests below 500 m altitude. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Etymology | Greek aspidos, shield; Greek pteron, wing, possibly referring to the winged fruits; Latin concavus, hollowed out, referring to the shape of the fruits’ wings. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The plant has horticultural potential as a park tree for its flowers and fruits. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
| Landscape Uses | Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
References
| References | Jacobs, M., . 1955. Malpighiaceae. Flora Malesiana, Series I. 5. 125-145 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32328 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6736 |
| 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. |