Name
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
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Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Tropical Africa |
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Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Medium to large-sized shrub, able to grow up to 2 m tall. |
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Foliage | Leaves are egg-shaped, oval or oblong (5-10 cm long). |
Flowers | Large, yellow flowers (3.5-5 cm long) are composed of 5 round, widely spread petals (15-25 mm long). After the petals drop, the calyx or outermost layer of the flower turns bright red and becomes swollen. |
Similar | This species resembles Ochna serrulata, but it has larger flowers (3.5-5 cm wide compared to 2-3 cm wide) and larger leaves (5-10 cm long compared to 2-6 cm long). |
Etymology | This species is commonly known as Mickey Mouse Plant because mature fruits are black and hang from a bright red calyx (outermost layer of the flower). Genus Ochna comes from an ancient Greek name "oxnh", which was used by Homer for a wild pear. Species kirkii is named in honor of Thomas Kirk, who was a writer on New Zealand plants. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits |
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Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird Attracting |
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Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
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Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
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Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
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Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 979 |
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Species ID | 2273 |
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. |