Singapore Government Logo

A Singapore Government Agency Website

Episcia cupreata 'Suomi'

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Rounded
Maximum Height 0.2 m to 0.3 m

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Herbaceous trailing shrub, usually 15cm height. Spreading stolons. Leaves ornamental, glossy coppery brown, variegated green around veins (especially mid-vein), velvety, crenate margins. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, petal margins denticulate. Fruits not observed in Singapore.Suitable as groundcover, in hanging baskets and containers for interiorscaping, and vertical landscaping. Brighter light results in better leaf colouration. Use moist but well-drained media to prevent rotting. Shelter leaves from heavy rainfall to minimize damage and rotting.Propagate by removing sizeable stolons from parent plant, and rooting stolon base in well-drained media. For more flowers or plant, pinch off stolons.Genus name derived from Greek episkios, meaning shaded (a reference to natural habitat of species in tropical central America). Species epithet 'cupreata' refers to coppery colour of leaves.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Potential Problems Leaves may be damaged or rot when exposed to heavy rain. Plant may rot in poorly-drained media.
Propagation Method Stem Cutting, Stolon / Runner
Propagule Establishment Remarks Root base of stolons in moist, well-drained media.
Maintenance Requirements Remarks Pinch off stolons to get more flowers or bigger parent plant.
Propagation Method Remarks Use sizeable stolons for better results.

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Brown, Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Crenate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Opening Time Time-Independent
Flower Lifespan on Plant Several Days
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 103
Species ID 1399
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.
Species record last updated on: 20 April 2022.
Share