Status:
valid
Authors:
S.Winkl.
Source:
tro
Year:
1965
Citation Micro:
Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 83(4): 348 (1965)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001224126
Common Names
- Purpureum Heterocentron
- Purple Heterocentron
- Purple Climbing Shrub
Description
Heterocentron purpureum (also called Purple heart, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to Central America. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 1 m tall, with opposite, ovate leaves up to 10 cm long, and terminal panicles of purple flowers.
Uses & Benefits
Heterocentron purpureum is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and for landscaping. It is also used for its medicinal properties, such as treating skin problems and reducing inflammation.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Heterocentron purpureum is a small, purple, bell-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single pair of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Heterocentron purpureum is a shrub native to China. It can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown in containers or in the ground.
Where to Find Heterocentron purpureum
Heterocentron purpureum is native to China and can be found in the wild in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.
Species in the Heterocentron genus
Heterocentron elegans,
Heterocentron glandulosum,
Heterocentron subtriplinervium,
Heterocentron hirtellum,
Heterocentron suffruticosum,
Heterocentron muricatum,
Heterocentron mexicanum,
Heterocentron purpureum,
Heterocentron alatum,
Heterocentron evansii,
Heterocentron chimalapanum,
Heterocentron laxiflorum,
Heterocentron arstedii,
Heterocentron dicranantherum,
Heterocentron humboldtianum,
Heterocentron breedlovei,
Heterocentron occidentale,
Heterocentron chiapense,
Species in the Melastomataceae family
Acanthella sprucei,
Acanthella pulchra,
Acanthella conferta,
Aciotis polystachya,
Aciotis purpurascens,
Aciotis acuminifolia,
Aciotis annua,
Aciotis rubricaulis,
Aciotis cordata,
Aciotis indecora,
Aciotis paludosa,
Aciotis circaeoides,
Aciotis ornata,
Aciotis circaeifolia,
Aciotis wurdackiana,
Aciotis olivieriana,
Aciotis ferreirana,
Aciotis viscida,
Aciotis pendulifolia,
Aciotis brachybotria,
Acisanthera pulchella,
Acisanthera quadrata,
Acisanthera boliviensis,
Acisanthera variabilis,
Acisanthera uniflora,
Acisanthera alsinaefolia,
Acisanthera paraguayensis,
Acisanthera alata,
Acisanthera hedyotoidea,
Acisanthera glazioviana,
Acisanthera quadrata,
Acisanthera ayangannae,
Acisanthera divaricata,
Adelobotrys ciliatus,
Adelobotrys atlanticus,
Adelobotrys adscendens,
Adelobotrys barbatus,
Adelobotrys ciliata,
Adelobotrys macrophylla,
Adelobotrys praetexta,
Adelobotrys tessmannii,
Adelobotrys boissieriana,
Adelobotrys fuscescens,
Adelobotrys macrantha,
Adelobotrys rotundifolius,
Adelobotrys subsessilis,
Adelobotrys jefensis,
Adelobotrys linearifolia,
Adelobotrys ayangannensis,
Adelobotrys scandens,