Ampelocissus elegans (Kurz) Gegnep.

Etymology Genus Ivy (cissus) vine (Ampelo)
Species Elegant
Family Vitaceae
Synonyms -
Common Names Elegant Ivy Vine
Status Native: Endangered
Form Herbaceous Climber
Native Distribution Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore

Diagnostics:

Ampelocissus elegans is a sun-loving herbaceous climber. The shape of the trifoliate leaves as well as the rusty brown veins are very distinctive. The stem and tendrils also sport the same colouration.


Interesting Facts:

The Elegant Ivy Vine can be found in the Central Catchment and Bukit Timah Nature Reserves, Western Catchment forest, Mount Faber Park as well as in the islands of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong (Yeo et al., 2013).


The Elegant Ivy Vine climbing over a tree at the forest edge of Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The inflorescence is borne from the tendril.

Berries ripen to red about 1cm wide.

Trifoliate leaf. The shape is its diagnostic.

References

Yeo CK, WF Ang, AFSL Lok & KH Ong. (2013) The conservation status of Ampelocissus Planch. (Vitaceae) of Singapore, with a special note on Ampelocissus ascendiflora Latiff. Nature in Singapore, 6: 45-53.


Author: Siyang
Posted: 2012-08-03 / Modified: 2017-12-25


Google Ads