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Thunbergia laurifolia
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Common Name: | Akar Ketuau, Thunbergia, Blue Trumpet Vine, Laurel-Leared Thunbergia, Laurel Clock Vine |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Andaman Island, Assam, East Himalaya, Malaya, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands and Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A perennial, herbaceous climber. It has a twining growth form. |
|---|---|
| Roots | It has tuberous roots. |
| Foliage | The oblong-lanceolate leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems and have entire to slightly toothed margins. The leaf has three main veins with a reticulated vein arrangement. |
| Flowers | The large trumpet-shaped flowers have a blue-violet corolla and are bisexual. The flowers are borne on a raceme. |
| Fruit | The fruit is in a form of a capsule which contains 2 to 4 seeds. |
| Similar | It is similar to Thunbergia grandiflora, a vine. The difference is the Thunbergia laurifolia has narrower, glabrous leaves while Thunbergia grandiflora has broader, hairy leaves with larger lobes. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | The plants is easily spread via its seeds and pieces of its tuberous roots which can grow and develop to form new plants. Waste plant matter should be properly discarded to prevent escape from cultivation. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ (Tuberous Root) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 226 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1522 |
| 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. |
