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Neea virens Poepp. ex Heimerl
| Family Name: | Nyctaginaceae |
| Common Name: | Blue Ecuador |
Blue Ecuador (Neea virens) is a tropical shrub or a small tree, typically reaching up to 2 m tall in cultivation. Its elliptical leaves display blue-green hue with a smooth texture that gives a cool-toned appearance. It thrives in bright, indirect light to partial shade, making it suitable as an indoor specimen or planted in a sheltered garden settings. Native to regions from Colombia to Bolivia, this shrub prefers humid and well-drained environment.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Colombia, Venezuela, North Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a shrub or a treelet, growing to about 2 m tall in cultivation (up to 6 m tall in its native habitat). |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are elliptic to broadly-elliptic, chartaceous (thin and stiff, like paper) and have acute (short pointed) to acuminate (gradually tapers into a long sharp point) tips. There are 6 - 8 secondary veins on the leaf blade. The leaves are alternately arranged along the stem. |
| Flowers | Corymbose inflorescence (clusters of flowers) with peduncle of about 1-2 cm by 0.2 cm. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting for its striking blue-green leaves with deep burgundy veins. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Blue, Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Papery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary, Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Corymb |
References
| References | <1> G.A., Aymard. (2021). A new species of Neea (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae) for the Flora of Colombia. Harvard Papers in Botany. Vol. 26:403-413. <2> D.S., Costa, F., Farronay, H.P., Davilla-Doza, l., Villacorta-Mora. (2024). First record of Neea madeirana (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae) from the Peruvian Amazon. Acta Amazonica. Vol. 54 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34528 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8941 |
| 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. |
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