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Myriopteron extensum (Wight) K.Schum.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Streptocaulon extensum, Jenkinsia cristata, Myriopteron horsfieldii, Myriopteron paniculatum, Streptocaulon horsfieldii, Vicarya cristata |
| Common Name: | 翅果藤 |
Myriopteron extensum is a climber originating from the tropical region of India to Vietnam. This branching rainforest climber grows up to 10 m long and produces clusters of star-shaped flowers and thick winged fruits of tear-drop shape.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 10 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Assam, Bangladesh, India, Southeastern to South-Central China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Java. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A liana that can grow up to 10 m long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaf blades are ovate to elliptic to broadly ovate, measuring from 8 - 18 cm long to 4 - 11 cm wide, glabrous to sparsely hairy. Leaf base is broadly cuneate to rounded and apex is acute to subcaudate-acuminate. The leaf blade has 7 - 9 pairs of lateral veins. |
| Stems | Branchlets are pale grey with lenticels and glabrous. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne in open loose clusters. The inflorescence measures 12 - 26 cm long, and has a conical form consisting of many flowers. |
| Fruit | Fruit are follicles with many wings (around 20 wings), measuring up to 7.5 cm long and 3.5 cm across. |
| Habitat | It is found growing in thickets and open woods at 600 - 1600 m altitude. |
| Etymology | The genus Myriopteron means many wings, with reference to the winged fruit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses <1> The roots are said to be used as medicine for pulmonary tuberculosis and cough.
It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Bulging in between Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Caudate, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Size | 8 cm to 18 cm |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flower Size | 3 mm x 3 mm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Plated |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Follicle |
References
| References | <1> Flora of China @ efloras (2008). http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200018686. Accessed 19 October. 2023. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34392 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8805 |
| 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. |