Common name: Polka Dot Plant, Freckle Face, Flamingo-plant, Measles plant
Botanical name: Hypoestes phyllostachya Family: Acanthaceae (Barleria family) Synonyms: Hypoestes sanguinolenta
Polka dot plant is a delicate tropical foliage plant, which has become
popular as a novelty house-plant. It is a perennial herb native to Africa,
growing 1-2 ft tall. It is grown for its pink, red or white mottled,
dark-green leaves. Leaves are ovate in shape and are generally 3-4 cm long. The pink-purple flowers occur in leafy spikes during the summer
season. However, the flowers are negligible in comparison to the brightly
spotted foliage. In NE India, Polka Dot Plant seems to have escaped cultivation, and is frequently seen growing wild.
Identification credit: Prashant Awale
| Photographed in Manipur & Mizoram. |
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