Japanese name: ニーレンベルギア ヒッポマニカ Scientific name:Nierembergia hippomanica
[Overview]
A perennial 15–30 cm tall.
The stems branch in the upper part, are soft, and tend to fall over.
Leaves are simple and alternate, linear to spatulate, 1.5 cm long, with entire margins.
The flowers are borne singly in the leaf axils, about 2 cm across and pale purple; the corolla is funnel-shaped, shallowly 5-lobed, and opens upward.
There are 5 stamens, one of which is a staminode.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by stem cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated site and fertile soil.
It dislikes heat and humidity.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include aphids, spider mites and slugs.
