Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Gymnosperms (Non-Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | New Hanover, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Billiton Island, the Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi, the Moluccas, and New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalkless leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oval, yellowish-brown when dry, up to 20 cm long and 8 cm wide, with silky upper surfaces. |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Its stalkless seed is covered by a thick, three-layered seed coat. The seed is oval, shining, 5–6 cm long and 2 cm thick. Its oblong seeds are 3.5 cm long. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | The plant produces cones instead of flowers above the leaves. The male cones consist of once-branched spikes. Each spike is 2–3 cm long and bears many, 1.5 mm-long flowers. The female cones are 4 cm-long, unbranched spikes. |
| Habitat | It grows in rainforests up to 300 m altitude. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
| Associated Fauna | Its ovules are insect-pollinated. |
| Etymology | Latin Gnetum, from the name gnemon, derived from the Moluccan name of the tree, ganema. Latin gnemonoides, similar to Gnetum gnemon |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Leaves Food (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Fruits and leaves can be eaten when cooked. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
References
| References | Markgraf, F.. 1951. Gnetaceae. Flora Malesiana, Series I, . 4: 337−347 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33642 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8056 |
| 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. |
