Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Strophanthus caudatus

Back

Strophanthus caudatus (L.) Kurz

Family Name: Apocynaceae
Synonyms: Strophanthus dichotomus, Strophanthus griffithii, Strophanthus longicaudatus
Common Name: Tanduk-tanduk, Tandok-tandok, Dudur Kijang, 卵萼羊角拗

Strophanthus caudatus, also known as Tanduk-tanduk is a trailing shrub or a large climber that grows up to 12 m long. It displays beautiful white star-shaped flowers with long twisting red tendrils coming from the end of each petal. Growing under full sun to semi-shade condition with moderate watering, it is the preferred local food plant for Malayan Crow butterflies (Euploea camaralzeman).

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber, Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 12 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution India to Southeastern China, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, to New Guinea.
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A trailing shrub to a woody climber that can grow up to 12 m long.
Foliage Its opposite, shortly stalked leaves have thickly papery to leathery leaf blades that are elliptic-oblong or drop-shaped and measures 4.2 - 17.5 cm long, 1.5–7.5 cm across, with 6-12 pairs of veins. The leaf blade has acuminate to rounded leaf tip, and cuneate base.
Stems Its stems are about 2 cm in diameter. Its bark is dark and dotted with many lenticels.
Flowers Flowers grow in axillary, stalked, few-flowered clusters. Its calyx lobes are egg-shaped, and 0.6 cm wide, with long narrow tails. Its corolla-tube is white and 1.3 cm long with purplish-red lobes with white and yellow in the centre.
Fruit Its fruit are large and woody, green, oblong-shaped, and about 10-30 cm long, 1.9-4.8 cm in diameter. It has small grain-like seeds.
Habitat It grows in lowland forest, sometimes in swampy forest.
Associated Fauna It is the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the butterfly Malayan Crow (Euploea camaralzeman).
Etymology The genus epithet Strophanthus means twisted flowers, while the species epithet caudatus means tailed. Both are with reference to the tailed twisted flowers of this species.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping This species has ornamental flowers of white star-shaped with long twisting red tendrils coming from the end of each petal, it is suitable for growing where there is strong and sturdy support for plant to climb.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola
Thematic Landscaping Butterfly Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast to Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny, Leathery
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Cuneate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Mature Bark Texture Lenticellate
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Red, White
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Funnelform / Funnel-shaped, Stellate / Star-shaped

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Green

References

References <1> Middleton, D.J. & Rodda, M. (2019). Apocynaceae. Flora of Singapore. vol.13:520-523.

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 33715
Species ID 8129
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.
Species record last updated on: 05 September 2025.
Share