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Cleome hassleriana Chodat
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| Family Name : Capparaceae
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| Synonyms : Cleome houtteana, Cleome spinosa, Cleome pungens, Cleome hasslerana
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| Common Names : Spider Flower, Spider Plant, Grandfather's Whiskers
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- Record Info
- Life Stage & Characteristics
Plant Division : Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form : Shrub (Herbaceous) |
Lifespan (in Singapore) : Annual |
Mode of Nutrition : Autotrophic |
Plant Shape : Shrubby |
Maximum Height : 0.9 m to 1.5 m |
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width : 0.5 m |
- Biogeography
Native Distribution : Southern South America (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, SE Brazil) |
Preferred Climate Zone : Temperate |
- Description & Ethnobotany
Plant Morphology : [Others]: Herbaceous annual shrub, up to 1.5m height. Leaves palmately compound (shape resembles Cannabis species - Marijuana), strongly scented, glandular - slightly sticky when rubbed. Thicker stems have sharp spines at base of leaflets.Flowers in dense terminal raceme inflorescences, showy pink, lavender or white petals, long thread-like stamens, attract bees, butterflies and birds. Fruits are long thin capsules (15cm by 3mm), many-seeded, brown and dehiscent when mature. Seeds greenish-brown, comma-shaped.Ideal for flower beds, along fences, in large containers. Suitable for bird and butterfly gardens. Prefers well-drained soils. Established plants are drought-tolerant. Prune off side-shoots for tall slender plants, remove central bud when plant is 30cm tall for shorter, bushier form. Remove spent flowers to prolong flowering. Propagate by seeds - plant also freely self-seeds. |
Ethnobotanical Uses : None |
- Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features : Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers: Day, Time Independent; Foliage; [Remarks]: Strongly scented. Aromatically minty to some, pungent to others.) |
Plant & Rootzone Preference/Tolerance : Dry Soils / Drought, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
Landscape Uses : Flowerbed / Border, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Thematic Landscaping : Naturalistic Garden, Wildflower Garden, Butterfly Garden |
Usage Hazards / Cons : Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, [Remarks] (Spines on thick stems at leaf bases. Leaves are resinous and slightly sticky to the touch.) |
- Fauna, Pollination & Dispersal
Associated Fauna : Bird-Attracting, Caterpillar Food Plant |
Pollination Method(s) : Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth); Insects (Bee); Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp); Vertebrates
(Bird); Vertebrates (Bat)) |
Seed / Spore Dispersal : Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
- Plant Care & Propagation
Light Preference : Full Sun, Semi-Shade, [Remarks] |
Water Preference : Moderate Water, Little Water |
Plant Growth Rate : Fast |
Planting Distance : 0.3 m |
Maintenance Requirements : [Remarks] (Remove spent flowers to prolong flowering period.) |
Pruning : Prune side-shoots to get tall slender plant. When plant is 30cm tall, prune central bud to encourage branching, & to get shorter and bushier form. |
Propagation Method : Seed |
Propagule Establishment Remarks : Seed leaves spoon-shaped. True leaves palmately-lobed. Seeds sowed outdoors germinate in 28-45 days. |
- Foliar
Foliage Retention : Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) : Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) : Rough, Sticky, Raised / Sunken Veins |
Foliar Modification : Spine (axillary) |
Foliar Type : Compound (Palmate) |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem : Spiral |
Foliar Shape(s) : Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate) |
Foliar Venation : Pinnate / Net |
Foliar Margin : Entire - Wavy / Undulate, Palmately Lobed |
Foliar Apex / Tip : Acute |
Typical Foliar Area : Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
- Non-Foliar & Storage
Stem Type & Modification : Herbaceous |
Root Type : Underground (Fibrous Root) |
- Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality : Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) : Pink, White |
Inflorescence Type : Raceme |
Flowering Opening Time : Time-Independent |
- Fruit, Seed & Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) [Angiosperms & Gymnosperms] : Brown |
Fruit Classification : Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type : Dehiscent Dry Fruit (Silique) |
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