Aeschynanthus pulcher

Aeschynanthus pulcher
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Aeschynanthus
Species:
A. pulcher
Binomial name
Aeschynanthus pulcher
Synonyms[1]
  • Aeschynanthus beccarii C.B.Clarke
  • Aeschynanthus boschianus de Vriese
  • Aeschynanthus javanicus Hook.
  • Aeschynanthus lampongus Miq.
  • Aeschynanthus lanceolatus Ridl.
  • Aeschynanthus lobbianus Hook.
  • Aeschynanthus neesii Zoll. & Moritzi
  • Aeschynanthus parvifolius R.Br.
  • Aeschynanthus zollingeri C.B.Clarke
  • Trichosporum beccarii (C.B.Clarke) Kuntze
  • Trichosporum javanicum (Hook.) Kuntze
  • Trichosporum lampongum (Miq.) Burkill
  • Trichosporum lobbianum (Hook.) Kuntze
  • Trichosporum parvifolium (R.Br.) Kuntze
  • Trichosporum pulchrum Blume
  • Trichosporum zollingeri (C.B.Clarke) Kuntze

Aeschynanthus pulcher, the lipstick plant or red bugle vine, is a species of evergreen perennial plant in the family Gesneriaceae, native to Indochina and western Malesia.[2] An epiphytic climber, it produces clusters of red flowers from summer to winter.[3] The common name "lipstick plant" refers to the bright red tubular flowers, about 6 cm long,[4] that emerge from a maroon calyx, which resemble lipstick emerging from a tube.[5] The plant may grow 60 cm to 2 meters tall, with an average spread of 50 cm.[4] The leaves are elliptic and are arranged in pairs, with smooth edges.[6]

The specific epithet pulcher means "pretty" or "beautiful", referring to the brilliant red blooms.[7]

With a minimum temperature of 15–18 °C (59–64 °F),[3] A. pulcher is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. It is particularly suitable for hanging baskets. It requires bright light but not direct sunlight, does best in humid conditions, and should be potted in a porous, acidic medium.[8] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[9] It has heavy, succulent-like leaves and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings.[5] Common pests include aphids and mealybugs.[4]

References

  1. ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 1 April 2017
  2. ^ Middleton D.J. 2007. A revision of Aeschynanthus (Gesneriaceae) in Thailand. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 64 (3): 363–429
  3. ^ a b RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 65. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. ^ a b c "Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus pulcher) - Plants | Candide Gardening". Candide. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  5. ^ a b "Aeschynanthus pulcher | Gesneriad Reference Web". Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  6. ^ "Aeschynanthus pulcher". National Parks Board (Singapore). April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  8. ^ Chiusoli, Alessandro; Boriani, Luisa Maria (1986). Simon & Schuster's guide to houseplants. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0671631314.
  9. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Aeschynanthus pulcher". Retrieved 23 February 2020.