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Pseuderanthemum carruthersii 'Black Magic'
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
Pseuderanthemum carruthersii 'Black Magic' is an erect shrub with its deep purple to nearly black leaves that creates dramatic contrast in parks and gardens. This plant grows well in full sun with moderate watering, making it relatively easy to maintain once established. The shrub produces white tubular flowers with pink speckles and dots.
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 Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An erect, woody, moderately fast-growing shrub that grows up to 2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are entire, simple, opposite, narrowly ovate, attenuate (becoming thinner) at base, acuminate (tapering to a point) at apex, purple with wavy margins; petioles purple, about 1 cm long. |
| Stems | Stem woody, glabrous (smooth; not rough or hairy), maroon to magenta. |
| Flowers | Flowers erect and tubular, occuring in threes at leaf axil, white, pink at corolla throat. |
| 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
| Landscaping | Suitable for growing in mass planting for contrasting effect with green or golden foliage plants. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Suitable for Roadsides |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Purple |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| 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 (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34016 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8432 |
| 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. |
