Back
Fittonia albivenis (Argyroneura Group)
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Acanthus albivenis, Fittonia verschaffeltii var. argyroneura, Fittonia argyroneura, |
| Common Name: | White Nerve Plant, Mosaic Plant, Silver Fittonia, Silver Nerve, Silver Threads, Silver-net Plant, Snakeskin Plant, Nerve Plant, 白网纹草, 银网草, 网格草 |
Name
| Family Name | |
| Genus Epithet | |
| Species Epithet | |
| Infraspecific Epithet | |
| Name Status (botanical) | |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Names | |
| Comments |
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub (Trailing, Herbaceous, Creeper) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 0.1 m to 0.2 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous shrub, up to 15cm height, creeping and rooting at lower nodes. |
| Foliage | Leaves around 5cm long, velvety texture, green with dense network of reticulated white veins. |
| Stems | Stems covered with fine white hairs. |
| Flowers | Flowers yellowish to cream-coloured, tubular, 2-lipped, insignificant, produced in congested spike inflorescence with overlapping green bracts. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Ethymology: Genus epithet 'Fittonia' named in honour of Elizabeth and Sarah Mary Fitton, 19th century authors of 'Conservations on Botany'. Species epithet 'albivenis' means 'white veined', a reference to the net-variegated leaves. |
| Cultivation | Requires high humidity. Likes well-drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter. Water regularly to prevent withering, but avoid overwatering which may cause yellowing of leaves. Waterlogged soils may promote leaf and stem rot. Pinch off stem-tips to promote bushier growth. If grown for striking foliage, flower inflorescences may be removed. Propagate by stem cuttings, layering or division. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Terrarium, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
