| Positive | Monocromatico | On Sep 11, 2003, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro
Brazil (Zone 11) wrote:This is a curious shrub. Not that it´s a small plant, because undergrounds there´s an impressively huge root and stem systems. Most of the plant is undergrounds, and only a few branches come outside. It´s like a tree upside down!
The compound leaves are bright green, and they fall in early winter, remaining only nude short branches. An inflorescence comes out of it in mid and late winter, shouting many bluish purple, or somehwat pínkish purple, tubular flowers polinized by big bees. The leaves come back along with the rains, in late winter/early spring, when the last flowers fade.
This is a native from central brazilian savanna, living on deep, red clay soils. It demands lots of space. A single plant can ramify undergrounds, covering large areas. It needs water during the year, but between the end of autumn and early spring let it dry. And full sun. |
