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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Eastern Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Bulbous herb to 40cm tall when in flower |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves mid - dark green, in certain forms spotted; to 30cm long by 8cm wide. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence 10-40cm tall, with 5-10 flowers. Flowers bluish purple, lilac or mauve, with white lines in certain forms. |
| Habitat | Understorey herb in shaded, humid woodlands |
| Etymology | The specific epithet 'espiritensis' refers to the state of Espirito Santo in Brazil, where the species was first collected. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Agriculture - Forestry: In Brazil, this species is grown extensively as a ground cover under/ undergrowth to prevent erosion to the top soil on slopes |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Groundcover, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Slope Stabilization |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting, [Remarks] (Prefers locations with bright shade and high humdity) |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Fertilizing | Prefers soils/ media with high organic content |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Leaves spotted in some forms |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31298 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5695 |
| 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. |