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Globba leucantha var. peninsularis Holttum
| Family Name: | Zingiberaceae |
| Synonyms: | Globba leucantha Miq. var. leucantha auct. |
| Common Name: | Meroyan Berok |
Globba leucantha var. peninsularis is a critically endangered ginger native to Singapore. It has dark green, glossy leaves that are deeply veined, creating a rippled texture, and a silvery or purplish underside. The petite, white, orchid-like flower has an attractive, upside-down fishhook structure which bears and receives pollen. It grows best in semi-shade and moist soil.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous perennial up to 0.9 m. |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Small, white flowers occur on a spike inflorescence and last only one day. The pollen-bearing anther has a pair of wing-shaped appendages and is held on a fish hook-shaped stalk. |
| Fruit | Light green, round, smooth fruit is up to 1 cm wide. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | It can reproduce asexually by producing small plantlets known as bulbils. |
| Habitat | It is found in wet tropical climates. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in well-drained soil that is kept moist. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Rhizome) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34313 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8726 |
| 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. |
