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Pterisanthes cissoides Blume
Family Name: | Vitaceae |
Synonyms: | Pterisanthes dalhousiae Ridl. var. major, Pterisanthes trifoliata Merr., Vitis pterisantha Miq. |
Common Name: | Akar Gamat |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Java, and Borneo |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is an herbaceous climber. |
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Foliage | Its spirally arranged, stalked leaves have 3–5 papery leaflets. The terminal leaflet is long egg-shaped to oval and 10–18 by 4.1–6.9 cm. The lateral leaflet is asymmetric oblong and 9.1–16 by 4–6.7 cm. |
Flowers | Its stalked flowering shoot is brownish-green and 15–39 cm long. It mostly bears stalkless flowers. |
Fruit | Its fruits are egg-shaped berries and contain 1–2 seeds each, ripening purplish-pink. The seed is up to 6 by 5 mm. |
Habitat | It grows on the fringe of lowland dipterocarp forests. It occurs locally in Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects, and its fruits and seeds may be eaten and dispersed by birds. |
Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
Etymology | Greek pteron, wing; Greek anthe, flower, probably referring to the flat blade-like inflorescence; Latin cissoides, like Cissus genus, the reference to its appearance that resembles plants from the genus Cissus. |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The roots are rubbed on swellings on legs. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It may be suitable for parks, at partially shaded areas. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate, Compound (Trifoliate) |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
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Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
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Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 31553 |
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Species ID | 5952 |
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. |