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Episcia cupreata 'Cleopatra'

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Episcia cupreata Easterbrook 'Cleopatra'

Family Name: Gesneriaceae
Synonyms: Episcia cupreata 'Cerri's Tricolor', Episcia cupreata 'Pink Brocade'
Common Name: Cleopatra Flame Violet

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
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
Maximum Height 0.10 m to 0.15 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution USA (Ohio)
Preferred Climate Zone Temperate

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herbaceous creeping and trailing shrub with stoloniferous stems, generally up to 15cm height from base.
Foliage Leaves velvety, with pale pink margins and pale green mid-section shaped like oak leaf outlined by a thin white halo. Photos in this plant record show the Canadian clone, said to be hardier than the original 'Cleopatra', and plants exhibit chimeric variegation of original genotype in the darker leaf variegation.
Flowers Corolla trumpet-shaped, bright red and furry, lasting 2-3 days.
Others - Plant Morphology Parentage: Chimeric sport of Episcia cupreata 'Frosty', cultivated by E. Leo Easterbrook from USA (Ohio), introduced to horticultural world in 1963, and registered with Gesneriad Society, Inc. in 1964.
Cultivation Slow-growing due to lack of chlorophyll, requires more care than other Episcia cultivars. Prefers moist but well-drained media (eg. peatmoss-perlite soilless mix) and high humidity. Avoid waterlogging which causes root and stem rot. Propagate by stolons and stem cuttings.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Episcia' derived from Greek word for shaded ('episkios'), a reference to the natural habitat of this genus of plants. Species epithet 'cupreata' means 'copper-coloured', describing the reddish foliage colour of the species form.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Focal Plant, Terrarium, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements High
Propagation Method Stem Cutting, Stolon / Runner

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Pink, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Red
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 29155
Species ID 3464
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: 19 April 2022.
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