Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | South America (Southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, northern Argentina) |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | It is a slender shrub that grows up to about 4 m. |
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Foliage | Leaves are simple, narrowly elliptical and has a waxy texture. The leaf surface is glaucous (covered with greyish or bluish waxy coating that can be rubbed off). |
Stems | Smooth and slender, light green stem. |
Flowers | Flowers are bluish-purple. |
Habitat | It grows in swampy ground, at the margins of marshes and ponds. |
Etymology | The genus Solanum means potato-like. The specific epithet glaucophyllum means glaucous-leaved, which refers to the glaucous appearance on the foliage. |
Landscaping Features
Landscaping | It is cultivated for its bluish-purple flowers and glaucous leaves, suitable for silver garden and parks. |
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Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Bluish Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Powdery / Waxy Bloom |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
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Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 33080 |
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Species ID | 7494 |
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. |