Fittonia
| Fittonia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fittonia verschaffeltii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Genus: | Fittonia Coem.[1] |
| Synonyms | |
|
Adelaster Lindl. ex Veitch | |
Fittonia (nerve plant) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical rainforest in South America, mainly Peru.[2]
Currently 15 species are known, but the most commonly grown are F. albivenis and its cultivars. They are spreading evergreen perennials growing 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall. They bear lush green leaves with accented veins of white to deep pink and have a short fuzz covering their stems. Small buds may appear after time where the stem splits into leaves. Flowers are small with a white to off-white colour. Plants are best kept in a moist area with mild sunlight and temperatures above 55 °F (13 °C), therefore in temperate areas they must be grown as houseplants. Without water for a few days, this plant is known to "faint" but is easily revived with a quick watering and resumes its healthiness. The fittonia is known to be hard to grow so it is best bought at a nursery then cared for. Its spreading habit makes it ideal as groundcover.
Some species
- Fittonia albivenis (Lindl. ex hort. Veitch) Brummitt[1] "Leaves used by the Machiguenga as a hallucinogenic admixture in kamarampi prior to their introduction to Psychotria viridis."[3]
- Fittonia argyroneura Coem.[1]
- Fittonia verschaffeltii (Lem.) Van Houtte[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Fittonia information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "Erowid Online Books : "Ayahuasca: alkaloids, plants, and analogs" by Keeper of the Trout". www.erowid.org. Retrieved 2008-02-25.