Uvaria grandiflora (Lesch. ex DC.) Roxb.
| Family Name: | Annonaceae |
| Synonyms: | Unona rubra C.B.Rob., Uvaria rhodantha Hance ex Walp., Uvaria platypetala Champ. ex Benth., Unona purpurea Blume |
| Common Name: | Red Hot Poker, Pisang Akar, Akar Larak, 山椒子, 山椒, 大花紫玉盘 |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 10 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Borneo, and Java |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a woody, scrambling climber or shrub, up to 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its alternate, stalked leaves have thinly membranous blades that are oblong-lance shaped to elliptic-oblong, shiny dark green above and pale green below, and 11–23 by 6–9.5 cm. Its midrib is slightly depressed above, prominent beneath, and veins are prominent on both sides. The leaf stalks and young leaves are hairy. |
| Stems | The young stems are pubescent to tomentose. |
| Flowers | The solitary, bisexual flowers are opposed to the leaves and measure about 9 to 11 cm wide. The calyx consists of 3 yellowish sepals which are 2 to 2.5 cm long and are broadly triangular in shape. The corolla consists of 6 dark red obovate to ovate petals, 3.5 to 4 cm long. The flowers are slightly fragrant. |
| Fruits | Its orange and fleshy fruits compose of distinct, hairy fruitlets or carpels, each fruitlet is berry-like and cylindrical, 4–5.5 cm long, being slightly constricted around the brown seeds. Each fruit contains seeds that are flat, pale brown, and oval-shaped arranged in 2 rows. |
| Habitat | It grows in inland forests. |
| Associated Fauna | It is the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the butterfly swallowtail (Graphium antiphates). |
| Cultivation | It is drought-tolerant. |
| Etymology | Genus ‘Uvaria’ means resembling a bunch of grapes, a reference to the clustered berries. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts (Edible Fruits) Food (Fruit & Vegetable : Its fruits are aromatic, eaten raw or preserved.;Herb and Spice) Medicinal ( In Malaysia, the leaves and roots are cooked and eaten to treat abdominal pains and skin diseases. The pounded leaves are used to treat putrefaction. ) [Others]: Its climbing stems are said to be good substitutes for rattans. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and gardens, on trellises and pergolas. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Bark, Flowers) |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference – Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils |
| Landscape Uses | General, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Parks & Gardens, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Food Plant, Caterpillar Food Plant (Leaves) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth), Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Raised / Sunken Veins, Glossy / Shiny, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong, Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire – Wavy / Undulate, Entire |
| Foliar Apex – Tip | Caudate |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
| Typical Foliar Area | Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 – 1640.25 cm2 ) |
Non – Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
|---|---|
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary, Cluster / Inflorescence |
Larak root (Uvaria grandiflora) is a creeping shrub (Liana) and propagates on rebuttal trees, the maximum height of this plant is 10 m. Broadleaf, single leaf with a size of 11-23 x 6-9.5 cm, Elliptic-Oblong leaf type. Hairy stems and young leaves.
The solitary and bisexual flowers are opposite to the leaves and are about 9 to 11 cm long. The petals consist of 3 yellowish petals, 2 to 2.5 cm long with a triangular shape. The corolla consists of 6-7 oval, dark red petals and is obovate in shape, 3.5 to 4 cm long. Slightly floral fragrance.
Uvaria grandiflora fruit
Young fruit is green-gray and hairy when ripe fruit is yellow-orange, fleshy fruit with a length of about 4-5.5 cm. pale brown seed color
Uvaria grandiflora leaves
Distribution :
This plant is spread from southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia.
Habitats :
This plant can grow in primary forest and secondary forest. where it grows from an altitude of 15 – 1000 meters above sea level. in South China it is found at an altitude of 400-1000 meters above sea level. In Bengkulu itself, I just saw this plant in the Bengkulu University Campus Forest.
Medicinal plants :
This plant is used as a medicinal plant, where the leaves and roots are cooked and eaten to treat stomach aches and skin diseases.