Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual, Biennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 25 cm to 60 cm |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 25 cm to 45 cm |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual or biennial herb up to 0.6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves deeply dissected, 12-15cm long, light green in color. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is a light blue head. |
| Cultivation | This species is adapted to cool climates. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Flowers Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Leaves are usually eaten raw and used in salads. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | The plant sap could potentially irritate skin. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic (Self-Pollinated) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, [Remarks] (This plant does best when sheltered from very strong sunlight, e.g. afternoon sun - 1 layer of shade netting or placing the plant in areas where it receives only morning sun will also be helpful) |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, [Remarks] (Keep soil moist but avoid overwatering as soggy growing media can cause the plant to rot) |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Planting Distance | 20 cm to 30 cm |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Crinkled / Twisted |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid, Entire, Dentate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Ligulate / Strap-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Compound Head / Capitulum |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32364 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6775 |
| 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. |