Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Tropical Old World |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Small to medium-sized shrub, able to grow up to 3 - 5 m tall. |
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Foliage | Green leaves, mostly 3-pinnately compound, petiole measuring about 5 - 15 cm long, petiolules measuring about 1 - 5 cm long, lanceolate leaflets with toothed margins. |
Flowers | Pale yellow to white flowers in a terminal inflorescence, a panicle of umbels. |
Fruit | Fruit is a drupe, flattened laterally, measuring 4 - 5 mm long and 4.5 - 6 mm wide. |
Etymology | Genus Polyscias means "many-shaded" and refers to the foilage of the plant. Species fruticosa refers to the shrub-like habit of the plant. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The leaves are commonly used to treat hemorrhoids in Malaysia. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
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Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Bonsai |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
Foliar Type | Compound (Tripinnate) |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed, Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Terminal |
Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | White |
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Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 30286 |
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Species ID | 4595 |
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. |