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, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A shrub which can grow up to 4 m tall, and has multiple stems. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem. Leaf blade is shiny, and has toothed margin. |
| Flowers | The flowers are in deep red colour, tubular, measuring about 3 cm long, and borne singly in the leaf axils. The corolla is 2-lipped where upper lip is more or less straight and lower lip is 2-lobed and reflexed. |
| Etymology | The genus Graptophyllum means written-on-leaf, which refers to the line markings on the leaf. The specific epithet excelsum means tall. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Hedge / Screening |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (axillary) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed, Denticulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular, Labiate / Lipped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33583 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7997 |
| 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. |
