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Achimenes 'Robert Dressler'

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Achimenes 'Robert Dressler'

Family Name: Gesneriaceae

Achimenes ‘Robert Dressler’ is a short rhizomatous herb growing up to 30 cm tall. The funnel-shaped flowers are purple with a white center. Achimenes are related to the popular African Violets and Gloxinias. Coupled with its preference for filtered light and profuse flowering, this plant is often grown as a houseplant, or in a hanging basket.

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Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant

Biogeography

Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a rhizomatous herb that produces flowers in abundance (floriferous), measuring up to 30 cm in height.
Foliage Its leaves are dark green in colour, up to 3 cm long. Leaves are covered in sparse hairs and have a toothed margin.
Flowers Its flowers are funnel-shaped, purple, with white center and a reddish purple throat.
Others - Plant Morphology It has scaly rhizomatous roots that resembles the cones of a pine tree. It can measure between 1 – 3 cm long.
Cultivation This species exhibit periodic dormancy; gradually reduce the watering to allow the plants to enter the resting period where the leaves and stems will die back. Allow the rhizomes to remain in the potting media and mist the top of the potting mix lightly on a regular basis. Once the plants begin to sprout from their rhizomes, gradually resume watering and feed with dilute liquid fertilizers to aid growth and flowering.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow
Propagation Method Seed, Storage Organ

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Hairy / Hirsute
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Purple
Flower Texture(s) Thin
Flower Location Axillary

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 32658
Species ID 7070
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: 15 June 2021.
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