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Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana
| Family Name: | Passifloraceae |
| Synonyms: | Passiflora singaporiana |
| Common Name: | Large-leafed Adenia, Singapore Adenia, Singapore Passion Flower, 大叶蒴莲 |
Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana, commonly known as Singapore Adenia is a slender vine that uses tendrils to climb tall trees. A native from Singapore, it has attractive shiny red fruit, making this plant suitable to be planted on trellises in parks and gardens. This climber is also a locally preferred host plant for Malay Lacewing Butterfly (Cethosia hypsea hypsina).
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 25 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia (Johor), Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Slender woody vine, climbing with tendrils borne from flower-bearing branches, reaching up to 25m height with support. Typically spreading widely amongst tree crowns, but main plant usually difficult to spot, unless when flowering. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have thickly leathery blades that are usually oblong to lance-shaped, and 5–15 by 1.8–8 cm, with two spoon-shaped glands at either side of the base. |
| Flowers | The plant is monoecious, producing only male or only female flowers on the branches. The former is produced in much larger proportion. Flowers of both sexes are yellow, tubular, less than 1 cm wide, and arranged in hanging clusters. |
| Fruit | Its shiny red fruit is capsule-shaped, about 5 cm long, and splits along three lines from the apex to reveal 15–40 seeds each. Its seeds are blackish when mature, flat and round. Each seed is also surrounded in white fleshy pulp, and suspended by pink threads. |
| Habitat | It grows on trees in forests and along forest edges. It occurs locally in Central Catchment areas, Nee Soon Swamp Forest, and Chestnut Area. |
| Associated Fauna | Locally preferred host / food plant for Cethosia hypsea hypsina (Malay Lacewing Butterfly), which lays its eggs on undersides of leaves, and on stems or tendrils. |
| Taxonomy | Earlier publication has spelling of Passiflora singaporiana (Source: A General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants, 3:55, desc. 1834) in the explanation for this plant. Key principles of the Code gives priority to the earliest available name. Therefore, the accepted name is Adenia macrophylla var. singaporiana. |
| Cultivation | Fast growing. Best propagated by seeds (which germinate easily) or by cuttings. Cut surfaces should be handled with caution, as Adenia genus (especially caudiciform types) is known to contain toxic sap, which is poisonous if ingested by vetebrates, and may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Adenia' derived from Aden, a small seaport near the Red Sea, from which the type species originated. Species epithet 'macrophylla' means 'big leaf', a reference to the plant's relatively large leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting on trellis in parks and gardens for its attractive red fruits. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Seeds |
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Plant sap contains cyanogenic compounds & lectins, toxic to vetebrates when ingested, & may cause skin irritation when handled. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagule Establishment Remarks | Seeds germinate easily. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody, Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Flower Size - Remarks | Male & female flowers less than 1cm across. |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1297 |
| 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. |
