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Achimenes 'Ambrose Verschaffelt'
| Family Name: | Gesneriaceae |
Achimenes ‘Ambrose Verschaffelt’ is a short rhizomatous herb growing up to 20 cm tall. The funnel-shaped flowers are white to pale lavender with purple veins at the center, and a yellow throat. 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.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
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. It often form horizontal shoots (semi prostrate) as the growing season progresses |
|---|---|
| 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, white to pale lavender, with purple veins at the center and a golden-yellow 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 | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Rhizome) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32661 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7073 |
| 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. |
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