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Renanthera elongata (Blume) Lindl.
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Aerides elongata Blume, Gastrochilus reflexus (Lindl.) Kuntze, Renanthera micrantha Blume, Saccolabium reflexum Lindl. |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a climbing, epiphytic orchid, with slender stems, and adventitious roots. It is identified by its climbing habit and red flowers with faint dark spots. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, succulent leaves have leathery leaf blades that are green, linear, fleshy, bi-lobed at the tip, and 7–13 by 1.2–2.5 cm. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are borne on a branched inflorescence up to 60 cm long. Each flower is about 1.5 by 1.5 cm, red with faint dark spots, with its third petal modified into a hinged lip. The lip points towards the tip of the inflorescence or branch, and is involved in insect-pollination. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a capsule that splits when ripe to release several, tiny, wind-dispersed seeds. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests, often in open places near the sea. It was thought to be extinct until its recent rediscovery in Nee Soon Swamp Forest (Ang et al., 2011). |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are insect-pollinated. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed and stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | Latin renes, kidneys; Latin anthera, anther, referring to the kidney-shaped pollinia; Latin elongata, elongate, possibly referring to the long stems |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: It has horticultural potential for its flowers. It has been used for breeding artificial hybrids. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This climbing, epiphytic orchid is suitable for planting in gardens or parks for its attractive red flowers. It can be planted on trees, under partial shade. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Hanging Basket |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water, Occasional Misting |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Herbaceous), Tissue Culture |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Aboveground (Aerial Root) |
| Root Symbiosis | Fungal Mycorrhiza |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
References
| References | Ang, W. F., A. F. S. L. Lok, C. K. Yeo, A. Angkasa, P. X. Ng, B. Y. Q. Ng & H. T. W. Tan. 2011. Rediscovery of Renanthera elongata (Blume) Lindl. (Orchidaceae) in Singapore. Nature in Singapore. 4. 297–301 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31205 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5599 |
| 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. |
