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Alternanthera dentata 'Little Ruby'
| Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
| Common Name: | Joseph's Coat |
This compact herbaceous plant will provide a vivid burst of colour in the landscape as a groundcover or container plant.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.4 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A low-growing groundcover up to 40 cm tall and 90 cm wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are reddish to vivid purple-burgundy, oval-shaped and has entire margin. |
| Stems | Stems are reddish to purple. |
| Flowers | It produces small, white solitary flowers shaped like pom-poms. |
| Cultivation | Plant grows best under full sun on moist and well-drained soil. It can also grow well under semi-shade, but foliage colour is more intense under brighter light. Pinch the tips to encourage branching, bushiness and compactness. It is a low maintenance cultivar that grows well in humid, warm climates. Apply a thick layer of chunky mulch and feed occasionally with slow release fertiliser. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its attractive burgundy leaves makes the plant suitable as groundcover or grown as flowerbed on in container planting. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border, General, Groundcover |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Good |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Purple, Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33885 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8301 |
| 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. |
