Kingdom Plantae Genus Fittonia Higher classification Fittonia Order Lamiales | Family Acanthaceae Scientific name Fittonia albivenis Rank Species | |
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Similar Fittonia, Acanthaceae, Polka dot plant, Hypoestes, Pilea | ||
Fittonia albivenis nerve plant
Fittonia albivenis is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to the rainforests of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Brazil. It is notable for its dark green foliage with strongly contrasting white or red veins. It is commonly called nerve plant or mosaic plant. In temperate regions where the temperature falls below 10 °C (50 °F) it must be grown as a houseplant.
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Growth
Fittonia albivenis is a creeping evergreen perennial growing to 15 cm (6 in) high, with lush green leaves with accented veins of white to deep pink and a short fuzz covering its stems. Small buds may appear after time where the stem splits into leaves. Flowers are small with a white to off-white color. This plant is best kept in a moist area with mild sunlight and temperatures above 55 °F (13 °C). It must be watered regularly. Without water for a few days, it is known to "faint" but is easily revived with a quick watering and resumes its healthiness. Fittonia albivenis is known to be hard to grow, so it is best bought at a nursery then cared for. Its spreading habit makes it ideal as groundcover.
Uses
The species is used as an ornamental plant. Numerous cultivars have been selected, of which the Argyroneura Group has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
The Kofan and Siona-Secoya tribes of the Ecuadorian Amazon use F. albivenis as a treatment for headaches, and its leaves were used by the Machiguenga as a hallucinogen before they were introduced to Psychotria viridis. They are said to "produce visions of eyeballs."
