| Nematanthus | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Nematanthus nervosus, showing the foliage and distinctive "goldfish" flower. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Gesneriaceae |
| Genus: | Nematanthus Schrad. |
Nematanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. All of its species are endemic to Brazil.[1] Compared to other gesneriads, Nematanthus has leaves that are small, succulent, and hard-surfaced. The plant has a trailing, branching, and spreading habit; it is generally an epiphyte in nature and a hanging-basket plant in cultivation.
The flower has petals fused into a pouch-like shape, with a small opening. The fancied resemblance of the flower to a goldfish gives the plant its common name, "goldfish plant" or "guppy plant".
Hummingbirds will often feed from the nectar-filled "goldfish" flowers.
Species
Species include:[2]
- Nematanthus albus Chautems
- Nematanthus australis Chautems
- Nematanthus bradei (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus brasiliensis (Vell.) Chautems
- Nematanthus corticola Schrad.
- Nematanthus fissus (Vell.) L.E. Skog
- Nematanthus fluminensis (Vell.) Fritsch
- Nematanthus fornix (Vell.) Chautems
- Nematanthus fritschii Hoehne
- Nematanthus gregarius D.L. Denham
- Nematanthus hirsutus (Mart.) Wiehler
- Nematanthus hirtellus (Schott) Wiehler
- Nematanthus jolyanus (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus kautskyi Chautems & Rossini
- Nematanthus × kuhlmannii (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus maculatus (Fritsch) Wiehler
- Nematanthus × mattosianus (Handro) H.E. Moore
- Nematanthus mirabilis (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus monanthos (Vell.) Chautems
- Nematanthus nervosus (Fritsch) H.E. Moore
- Nematanthus perianthomegus (Vell.) H.E. Moore
- Nematanthus punctatus Chautems
- Nematanthus pycnophyllus Chautems, T. Lopes & M. Peixoto
- Nematanthus savannarum (C.V.Morton) J.L.Clark
- Nematanthus sericeus (Hanst.) Chautems
- Nematanthus serpens (Vell.) Chautems
- Nematanthus striatus (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus strigillosus (Mart.) H.E. Moore
- Nematanthus teixeiranus (Handro) Chautems
- Nematanthus tessmannii (Hoehne) Chautems
- Nematanthus villosus (Hanst.) Wiehler
- Nematanthus wettsteinii (Fritsch) H.E. Moore
- Nematanthus wiehleri Chautems & M. Peixoto
N. fissus
Nematanthus "Tropicana"
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)
Cultivation
Nematanthus will endure a minimum temperature of 35 °F (-1.1 °C), but thrive between 65 °F to 85 °F (18.3 °C - 29.4 °C).[3][4] Nematanthus do best in bright indirect light and can easily burn in direct sunlight. They prefer high humidity, but adapt well to household humidity.[5] The tuberous roots of this plant retain water, and the Nematanthus plant prefers its soil to remain moist, and well-drained. The Goldfish plant enjoys being pot-bound, and is more likely to bloom in that state. When grown in the right conditions, the Nematanthus is known to bloom year-round. To encourage new blooms, regular pruning of the plant is recommended.[6]
Toxicity
The Nematanthus is considered non-toxic and safe for pets by the ASPCA.[7]
References
- ^ "The Gesneriad Society" (PDF).
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved October 1, 2015
- ^ "Plant database entry for Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus gregarius) with 10 images and 26 data details". garden.org. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
- ^ "Plant Stand Arizona". www.plantstandaz.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
- ^ "Goldfish Plant Care: Growing And Caring For Columnea Plants". Plant Care Today. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
- ^ "Goldfish Plant Care Tips - Columnea gloriosa". www.guide-to-houseplants.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
- ^ "Gold-Fish Plant". ASPCA. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
External links