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Episcia cupreata Easterbrook 'Cleopatra'
| Family Name: | Gesneriaceae |
| Synonyms: | Episcia cupreata 'Cerri's Tricolor', Episcia cupreata 'Pink Brocade' |
| Common Name: | Cleopatra Flame Violet |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.10 m to 0.15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | USA (Ohio) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous creeping and trailing shrub with stoloniferous stems, generally up to 15cm height from base. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves velvety, with pale pink margins and pale green mid-section shaped like oak leaf outlined by a thin white halo. Photos in this plant record show the Canadian clone, said to be hardier than the original 'Cleopatra', and plants exhibit chimeric variegation of original genotype in the darker leaf variegation. |
| Flowers | Corolla trumpet-shaped, bright red and furry, lasting 2-3 days. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Parentage: Chimeric sport of Episcia cupreata 'Frosty', cultivated by E. Leo Easterbrook from USA (Ohio), introduced to horticultural world in 1963, and registered with Gesneriad Society, Inc. in 1964. |
| Cultivation | Slow-growing due to lack of chlorophyll, requires more care than other Episcia cultivars. Prefers moist but well-drained media (eg. peatmoss-perlite soilless mix) and high humidity. Avoid waterlogging which causes root and stem rot. Propagate by stolons and stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Episcia' derived from Greek word for shaded ('episkios'), a reference to the natural habitat of this genus of plants. Species epithet 'cupreata' means 'copper-coloured', describing the reddish foliage colour of the species form. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Hanging Basket, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Focal Plant, Terrarium, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | High |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Stolon / Runner |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Pink, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose, Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29155 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3464 |
| 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. |
