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Aphelandra tetragona
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Aphelandra cristata |
| Common Name: | Red Aphelandra |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South America |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, elliptic to narrowly ovate leaves have a wavy leaf margin. Leaf texture varies from smooth to crinkled. |
| Flowers | Bright red to orangish red, tubular flowers are arranged in 4 neat files that are perpendicular to one another. The inflorescence stalk is white and partly covered by teardrop-shaped, dark brown bracts which give the stalk a zigzag appearance. |
| Cultivation | For indoor plants, use a potting mix of 1:1 loam and peat, adding enough sand to provide good drainage. Avoid pinching the stem tips, because the large inflorescence is best supported by a single stem. Feed with liquid fertilizer when the plant is in bloom and then, reduce watering after the blooms fade. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29732 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4041 |
| 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. |
