Nematanthus

Nematanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. All of its species are endemic to Brazil.[1] Compared to other gesneriads, Nematanthus has leaves that are small, succulent, and hard-surfaced. The plant has a trailing, branching, and spreading habit; it is generally an epiphyte in nature and a hanging-basket plant in cultivation.

Nematanthus
Nematanthus nervosus, showing the foliage and distinctive "goldfish" flower.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Nematanthus
Schrad.

The flower has petals fused into a pouch-like shape, with a small opening. The fancied resemblance of the flower to a goldfish gives the plant its common name, "goldfish plant" or "guppy plant".

Hummingbirds will often feed from the nectar-filled "goldfish" flowers.

Species

Species include:[2]

  • Nematanthus albus Chautems
  • Nematanthus australis Chautems
  • Nematanthus bradei (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus brasiliensis (Vell.) Chautems
  • Nematanthus corticola Schrad.
  • Nematanthus fissus (Vell.) L.E. Skog
  • Nematanthus fluminensis (Vell.) Fritsch
  • Nematanthus fornix (Vell.) Chautems
  • Nematanthus fritschii Hoehne
  • Nematanthus gregarius D.L. Denham
  • Nematanthus hirsutus (Mart.) Wiehler
  • Nematanthus hirtellus (Schott) Wiehler
  • Nematanthus jolyanus (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus kautskyi Chautems & Rossini
  • Nematanthus × kuhlmannii (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus maculatus (Fritsch) Wiehler
  • Nematanthus × mattosianus (Handro) H.E. Moore
  • Nematanthus mirabilis (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus monanthos (Vell.) Chautems
  • Nematanthus nervosus (Fritsch) H.E. Moore
  • Nematanthus perianthomegus (Vell.) H.E. Moore
  • Nematanthus punctatus Chautems
  • Nematanthus pycnophyllus Chautems, T. Lopes & M. Peixoto
  • Nematanthus savannarum (C.V.Morton) J.L.Clark
  • Nematanthus sericeus (Hanst.) Chautems
  • Nematanthus serpens (Vell.) Chautems
  • Nematanthus striatus (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus strigillosus (Mart.) H.E. Moore
  • Nematanthus teixeiranus (Handro) Chautems
  • Nematanthus tessmannii (Hoehne) Chautems
  • Nematanthus villosus (Hanst.) Wiehler
  • Nematanthus wettsteinii (Fritsch) H.E. Moore
  • Nematanthus wiehleri Chautems & M. Peixoto
  • N. fissus
  • Nematanthus "Tropicana"

Cultivation

Nematanthus will endure a minimum temperature of 35 °F (-1.1 °C), but thrive between 65 °F to 85 °F (18.3 °C - 29.4 °C).[3][4] Nematanthus do best in bright indirect light and can easily burn in direct sunlight. They prefer high humidity, but adapt well to household humidity.[5] The tuberous roots of this plant retain water, and the Nematanthus plant prefers its soil to remain moist, and well-drained. The Goldfish plant enjoys being pot-bound, and is more likely to bloom in that state. When grown in the right conditions, the Nematanthus is known to bloom year-round. To encourage new blooms, regular pruning of the plant is recommended.[6]

Toxicity

The Nematanthus is considered non-toxic and safe for pets by the ASPCA.[7]

References
  1. "The Gesneriad Society" (PDF).
  2. The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved October 1, 2015
  3. "Plant database entry for Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus gregarius) with 10 images and 26 data details". garden.org. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  4. "Plant Stand Arizona". www.plantstandaz.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  5. "Goldfish Plant Care: Growing And Caring For Columnea Plants". Plant Care Today. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  6. "Goldfish Plant Care Tips - Columnea gloriosa". www.guide-to-houseplants.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  7. "Gold-Fish Plant". ASPCA. Retrieved 2019-05-09.


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