| Etymology | Genus | From Latin, 3-star, referring the three samaras in the intact fruit which resemble stars |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Native to Australasia | |
| Family | Malpighiaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Maiden's Jealousy | |
| Status | Native: Endangered | |
| Form | Climber | |
| Native Distribution | Taiwan, Indochina, Malesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific Islands | |
Diagnostics:
A sun-loving climber that is found natively at coastal and mangrove areas, Tristellateia australasiae has striking bright yellow attractive flowers that blooms all year round. The leaves are opposite and glabrous. The surface of the leaf has a thin flim of membrane that peels off easily when breaking the leaf. The stem turns woody with age and is covered by lenticels.
Interesting Facts:
The Maiden's Jealousy is commonly cultivated at trellises and vertical greening of buildings for its attractive yellow flowers (NParks, n.d.).
Cultivated Maiden's Jealousy hanging from a Singapore Management University building.
Leaf arrangement.
Leaf upper surface.
Lower surface.
Thin membrane revealed after tearing the leaf.
Lenticels at the stem.
Inflorescence.
References
FloraFaunaWeb. (n.d.) Tristellateia australasiae A.Rich. National Parks Board, Singapore. https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg. Accessed on 27-Jan-2018.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2018-01-26 / Modified: 2018-01-27