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Pseuderanthemum graciliflorum (Nees) Ridl.
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pseuderanthemum andersonii, Eranthemum graciliflorum |
| Common Name: | Blue Twilight, Florida Twilight, Blue Crossandra |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
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Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Penang, Sri Lanka, India |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Semi-woody shrub with a low-growing, rounded growth habit. |
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| Foliage | Deeply veined leaves are elliptic with entire leaf margin. Adjacent pairs of opposite leaves are perpendicular to one another in a decussate leaf arrangement. |
| Flowers | Orchid-like flowers consist of 5 unequal bluish to purple petals. Stalked flowers are arranged along 1 main axis in an inflorescence known as a raceme. Inflorescence is borne at the branch tips. |
| Fruit | Dry dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. |
| Cultivation | This species is easy-to-grow and has a moderately fast growth rate. It should be planted in well-drained, but moist soil that is rich in compost. Plants require a humid environment, so group plants together and mist frequently. They should be protected from strong winds. |
| Etymology | The genus "Pseuderanthemum" means False Eranthemum. Plants in the genus Pseuderanthemum are similar, yet distinct from those of the genus Eranthemum. The prefix "Pseudo-" is derived from the Greek word for untrue ("pseudes"). The species epithet "andersonii" was named after plant collector Walter Birney Anderson (1856 - 1944) who also inspected Indian orchards for the British government. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is attractive in mass plantings. Consider using it as a ground cover or planting it underneath a tree. It is also suitable for container plantings and could be placed on patios. |
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| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1071 |
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| Species ID | 5132 |
| 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. |
