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Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guillaumin
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pseuderanthemum carruthersii var. atropurpureum |
| Common Name: | Purple False Eranthemum |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Pacific |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A colourful, erect, woody, moderately fast-growing shrub with a attractive crown of waxy, broad, pointed, somewhat irregular, variegated leaves in a combination of different shades of green suffused with purple and silver, and regularly produces small clusters of pink flowers. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves entire, simple, opposite, narrowly ovate, attenuate (becoming thinner) at base, acuminate (tapering to a point) at apex, waxy, up to 15 cm long and 6 cm wide, dark green, suffused with silver and purple irregular margins; petioles maroon to magenta, about 1 to 2 cm long. |
| Stems | Stem woody, glabrous (smooth; not rough or hairy), maroon to magenta. |
| Flowers | Flowers erect, clustering loosely, appearing at branch tips, pink, deeper pink at corolla throat. |
| Fruit | Fruits capsule-like, club-shaped, containing 4 flat seeds. |
| Cultivation | Plant is equally comfortable in full sun or partial shade. Though it is an adaptable plant, it prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with considerable amounts of mulch or compost. Prune regularly and vigorously to reduce size, induce vigour and to develop a more compact form. Propagate by cuttings, which will root readily in potting mix with warm conditions. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet 'Pseuderanthemum' comes from the Latin words 'pseudo', meaning 'false' and 'Eranthemum', a plant genus, in reference to the regular confusion with its close relatives of the genus 'Eranthemum', thus given the prefix that makes them 'false' eranthemums. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Diseases | It is prone to attack by fungus. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple, Silver / Grey |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30308 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2366 |
| 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. |
