Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
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Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 1.3 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Malaya |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Shrub, growing up to 1.3 m tall. |
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Foliage | Bract-like reduced leaves and puberulent, with green above and pale green below the surface. Leaf shape is oblong or lanceolate, measuring 15–22 by 5–7.5 cm. The leaf base is cuneate, margin entire, apex acute or shortly mucronate. |
Stems | Stems are green, slender, erect and scarcely branched. |
Flowers | Inflorescence are found at the stem base, close to the ground level. Sometimes, a few younger inflorescences are on the stem well above the ground. Each flower is densely pubescent, dark maroon which opens to bright yellow when blooming. Flowers have unpleasant smell. |
Fruits | Capsules are 4-angled twisted pendent, ripening to brown.Measuring about 15 cm long and 4 mm thick, the fruits are densely puberulent. Seeds are ovoid and 3-angled with bumpy surface. |
Habitat | Found growing in lowland forest in heavily shaded undergrowth, on damp soil close to a freshwater swamp. |
Etymology | The species epithet praetermissa is from Latin, praetermissus which means overlooked, as it was not previously recognized as a distinct species. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
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Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Food Plant |
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Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Shade, Semi-Shade |
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Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
References
References | Kiew, R. & al. (eds.) (2015). Flora of Peninsular Malaysia. Series II: Seed Plants, volume 5. Malayan Forest Records 49: 1-319. |
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Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 34007 |
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Species ID | 8423 |
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. |