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Strobilanthes alternata (Burm.f.) Moylan ex J.R.I.Wood
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Hemigraphis colorata, Hemigraphis alternata |
| Common Name: | Red Ivy, Red Flame Ivy, Metal Leaf |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous perennial with a creeping growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Silvery green, ovate (egg-shaped) to cordate (heart-shaped) leaves have purple leaf tips and underside. The upper leaf surface is more silvery green in shade, but more purple near the leaf tips in full sun. Paired leaves occur in an opposite leaf arrangement. Glossy, leathery leaves are deeply veined with crenate leaf margin (toothed edge). |
| Stems | Purple stems root easily near the nodes (points of leaf attachment to the stem). |
| Flowers | Off-white, trumpet-shaped flowers have 5 round lobes and purple streaks in the throat. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. |
| Habitat | Occurs on the forest floor. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In southern India, the leaves are rubbed against bruises and wounds to promote healing. In Java, leaves are used to treat bloody diarrhoea, hemorrhoids, excessive menstruation and skin diseases. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Groundcover |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant (Leaves) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Leaf Cutting, Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Silvery Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 791 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2086 |
| 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. |
