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Asystasia gangetica 'Alba'
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Asystasia coromandeliana 'Alba', Justicia gangetica 'Alba' |
| Common Name: | White Ganges Bluebell, Chinese Violet, Creeping Foxglove, Ganges Primrose |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Evergreen herbaceous perennial with a creeping growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Opposite, dark green leaves are ovate with entire leaf margin (8 cm long, 4 cm wide). Older leaves tend to have a distinct drip tip and have deep venation that produces a slightly wrinkled leaf surface. |
| Flowers | Trumpet-shaped flowers (2.5 cm long) have 5 white, round to obovate lobes and a yellowish throat. The terminal spike inflorescence is located at the branch tips and consists of stalkless flowers arranged along 1 axis. This species is free-flowering. |
| Fruit | Explosively dehiscent fruits known as capsules are initially green, but becomes brown and dry after dehiscence (3.6 cm long). The fruit resembles an upside down cello and contains 4 whitish to brownish black, circular seeds which are flattened and beaked (5 mm long, 1 mm thick). Fruits contain 3 mm-long hooks which help to propel the seeds further away from the plant during explosive dehiscence. |
| Cultivation | This species has a moderate growth rate and requires an average level of skill and maintenance. It grows best under under full sun or indirect light and should be planted in well-drained, compost-rich soils that are mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Individuals should be spaced 0.45 - 0.6 m apart. This species can grow aggressively and should be restrained with pruning. Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or layering. |
| Etymology | The genus "Asystasia" means inconsistency, referring to radially symmetrical flowers in this genus which is uncommon in the family Acanthaceae. The species epithet "gangetica" was named after the Ganges River in India. This species was likely observed near the Ganges River. The cultivar name "Alba" is Latin for pearl and refers to the white flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Food Plant |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 408 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1704 |
| 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. |
