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Murdannia loriformis 'Bright Star'
| Family Name: | Commelinaceae |
| Common Name: | Silver Oyster Plant, Severalflower Dewflower, Beijing Grass |
Commonly known as the Silver Oyster Plant, Murdannia loriformis ‘Bright Star’ has leaves with a broad silver band across its length. This herbaceous plant grows in a rosette and can reach 40 cm tall. It thrives under bright, but indirect light and well-drained soil which makes the Silver Oyster Plant an ideal addition to any indoor garden!
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular, Leggy |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.4 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.3 m to 0.4 m |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Tropical |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb with a bushy to trailing growth form up to 0.4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Fibrous roots are smooth or softly hairy (0.5-1 mm wide). |
| Foliage | Strap-shaped leaves are mostly grey with light to dark green, wavy leaf margin. |
| Flowers | Three-petalled, creamy white flowers are arranged in a panicle inflorescence. Petals are round or egg-shaped with the more narrow end at the base. |
| Fruit | Fruit is an egg-shaped to round capsule which is dry, dehiscent (breaking open at maturity) and triangular in cross-section (3-4 mm wide). It contains yellow-brown seeds, 2 per section. |
| Cultivation | It grows best in bright, but indirect light. While leaves may burn under direct sun, they may lose their variegation in dim settings and may develop root rot. Pot this cultivar in loamy, well-drained soil and allow the top 3 cm of the soil layer to dry before re-watering. Regularly feed with a well-balanced fertiliser. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Potential Problems | It is prone to attack by mealybugs and may develop root rot. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Herbaceous), Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Silver / Grey, Green - Light Green, Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Clasping |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown, Yellow / Golden |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34422 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8835 |
| 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. |
