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Fittonia albivenis (Argyroneura Group) 'White Dwarf'
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Fittonia argyroneura 'Nana', Fittonia verschaffeltii var. argyroneura ’minima’, Fittonia albivenis (Argyroneura Group) 'Nana' |
| Common Name: | Dwarf Nerve Plant, Dwarf Silver Fittonia, 小叶白网纹草 |
Name
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 | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.1 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous shrub, procumbent, less than 10cm height, creeping and rooting at lower nodes. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves small, velvety, attractively-netted with prominent white veins. |
| Stems | Stems covered with fine white hairs. |
| Flowers | Yellowish to cream-coloured, inconspicuous, produced in congested spike inflorescence with overlapping green bracts. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Name Variations: Dwarf form of Fittonia albivenis (Argyroneura Group). Known by 'White Dwarf' (accepted cultivar name) and 'Nana' in Europe, and 'Minima' in USA. |
| Cultivation | Prefers well-drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter. Water regularly to prevent withering, but avoid overwatering which may cause yellowing of leaves. Waterlogged soils may promote leaf and stem rot. Pinch off growing stem-tips to promote bushier foliage. Propagate by stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Fittonia' named in honour of Elizabeth and Sarah Mary Fitton, 19th century authors of 'Conservations on Botany'. Species epithet 'albivenis' means 'white veined', a reference to the net-variegated leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Terrarium, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Prune off growing stem tips to encourage bushier foliage growth. |
| Potential Problems | Overwatering may cause leaf yellowing. Poorly-drained waterlogged soils may promote leaf and stem rot. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse, Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Cordate |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 721 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2016 |
| 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. |
