Aphelandra

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Plant Characteristics
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Acanthaceae >

Aphelandra >


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Aphelandra is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas.

They are evergreen shrubs growing to 1-2 m tall, with opposite, simple leaves 5-30 cm long, often with white veins. The flowers are produced in dense spikes, with brightly coloured bracts.

Several species are grown as houseplants for their patterned leaves and brightly coloured inflorescences.


Read about Aphelandra in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Aphelandra (Greek-made name). Acanthdceae. Tropical American evergreen shrubs or tall herbs, grown in hothouses for the fine foliage and very showy 4- sided terminal spikes of red or yellow gaudy-bracted flowers.

Leaves mostly opposite, simple, entire or toothed, usually many and large: fls. labiate, the upper lip mostly 3-lobed and the middle lobe erect or arching, the lower lip more or less 2-lobed or notched ; stamens 4, rising from the base of the corolla, the anthers connivent and 1-celled; style 2-lobed: fr. a 4-angled caps.—About 60 species.

Aphelandras are of easy culture, if given plenty of diffused light in the growing season, and plants are not allowed to become tall and leggy. It is well to grow new plants frequently.

Propagation is by seeds when obtainable, or by cuttings of partially ripened wood at any season or the young growths taken off with a heel. They bloom in autumn, but can readily be brought into flower at other seasons. When done blooming, the plants should be rested in an intermediate temperature, kept rather dry, but not allowed to wilt or shrivel. They require treatment of justicias, and thrive along with allamandas and poinsettias.

A. atrovirens, N. E. Br. Dwarf: Lvs. very dark green above and purplish beneath: fls. yellow, 1 in. long. Brazil.—A. liboniàna. Lind. Dwarf: lvs. ovate and long-acuminate, with a white rib, green below: fls. deep yellow, email, scarcely exserted beyond the red bracts. Brazil.—A. macedoniana. Lind. & Rod. Said to be a form of A. atrovirens. Lvs. with white rib and main veins. Brazil.—A. Margaritae, E. Morr. Lvs. elliptic-acuminate, barred with white, purple below: fls. yellow, the bracts strong-toothed. Brazil.—A. oriéntalis, offered in Amer., is possibly a form of some well-known species.— A. pumita. Hook. f. Less than 1 ft.: Lvs. large, acute: as. orange, bracts purplish. Brazil.— A. variegata. Morel. A near ally of A. Blanchetiana with bright scarlet bracts, and bright yellow fls. Probably not now in cult.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Species

Coral Aphelandra
Aphelandra sinclairiana

Gallery

  • photo 1

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References

External links


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