Japanese name: スフィロスペルムム コルディフォリウム Scientific name:Sphyrospermum cordifolium
[Overview]
In its native range, an epiphytic or terrestrial evergreen shrub found in tropical rain forests from lowlands to highlands.
The stems grow to about 20–60 cm.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2–3.5 cm long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide, thick, sparsely hairy, with a distinct midrib.
The leaf margins are entire.
The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils and hang down on stalks about 1.5–2.5 cm long.
The flowers are white or red, cylindrical to urn-shaped, 0.5–0.7 cm long and 0.1–0.3 cm across, with a shallowly 4–5-lobed tip.
The outside of the corolla is sometimes hairy.
The fruit is spherical, fleshy, about 1.5 cm across, tinged with white or purple, and sometimes hairy.
[Uses]
In its native range, the leaves are said to be used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers a well-drained, well-ventilated place in partial shade.
Strong direct sunlight in summer may cause leaf scorch.
Keeping it at 10°C or above is safest for overwintering, so bring it indoors to a warm, sunny place.
Take care not to overwater; water thoroughly after the soil has dried.
It prefers high air humidity, so misting the leaves with a sprayer is beneficial.
Light fertilizing is sufficient; once it flowers, give diluted liquid fertilizer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
