Japanese name: コロマンソウ Scientific name:Asystasia gangetica subsp. gangetica
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial about 50 cm tall.
The stem is woody at the base and somewhat creeping, reaching over 1 m in length, and puts out roots from the nodes.
Leaves are simple and opposite, ovate to elliptical, 3–12 cm long and 1–5 cm wide, with margins usually entire.
It flowers all year round if the temperature is high enough.
Racemes 10–15 cm long are produced at the stem tips.
The flowers are wisteria-colored to bluish purple, funnel-shaped, about 3–4 cm long and 2.5–3.8 cm across, with 5 lobes at the tip.
The bracts are small and inconspicuous.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Uses]
In Africa the leaves are used as a vegetable, and they are also used in traditional medicine.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings; it is easy, as roots form from nodes that touch the ground.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained soil.
It is weak in cold tolerance, so bring it indoors to a sunny place in winter.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, keep it on the dry side.
From spring to autumn, place slow-release fertilizer on the soil.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
