The Magenta Plant
Peristrophe roxburghiana is one plant that most older
generation Singaporeans would be familiar with. It is a flowering plant
that belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is native to southeastern
Asia, southern China, and South East Asia. It thrives in the humid
lowlands and grows as a lush, herbaceous perennial shrub, up to a height
of 0.6 m tall, with lanceoate- to ovoid-acute-shaped leaves.
Unlike many of its more showy ornamental relatives, the true flowers of Peristrophe roxburghiana are not magnificient and they emerge from a small, terminal flower spike. Each flower consists of only two petals which are coloured pink which may appear magenta to reddish-violet to others. There are reports that state there are plants with white flowers.
Despite of the lack of beauty in its blooms, Peristrophe roxburghiana is a plant that is valued as a source of natural food dye. An extract of its leaves imparts a magenta colouring which is used to colour various food desserts in Vietnamese cuisine. The Chinese here knows it via the name ‘红丝线’ (hong si xian) which translates into ‘red silk threads’, with reference to the magenta/reddish dye that is found in its leaves which can be extracted by boiling leaves in water. The leaves of Peristrophe roxburghiana have a sweet taste with cooling properties and are also used medicinally to treat cough, dysentery, diarrhoea and bronchitis. Pregnant women should refrain from consuming this plant.
Peristrophe roxburghiana has a place in any tropical medicinal herb garden. Grow it in a sunny to semi-shaded and well-drained spot with moist, fertile soil. Prune this plant to shape periodically to keep growth in check and ensure a neat and tidy appearance. It propagates easily from stem-cuttings and sections of internodal stem-cuttings and tip-cuttings root easily without any rooting hormone powder. It is relatively pest- and disease-free.
Unlike many of its more showy ornamental relatives, the true flowers of Peristrophe roxburghiana are not magnificient and they emerge from a small, terminal flower spike. Each flower consists of only two petals which are coloured pink which may appear magenta to reddish-violet to others. There are reports that state there are plants with white flowers.
Despite of the lack of beauty in its blooms, Peristrophe roxburghiana is a plant that is valued as a source of natural food dye. An extract of its leaves imparts a magenta colouring which is used to colour various food desserts in Vietnamese cuisine. The Chinese here knows it via the name ‘红丝线’ (hong si xian) which translates into ‘red silk threads’, with reference to the magenta/reddish dye that is found in its leaves which can be extracted by boiling leaves in water. The leaves of Peristrophe roxburghiana have a sweet taste with cooling properties and are also used medicinally to treat cough, dysentery, diarrhoea and bronchitis. Pregnant women should refrain from consuming this plant.
Peristrophe roxburghiana has a place in any tropical medicinal herb garden. Grow it in a sunny to semi-shaded and well-drained spot with moist, fertile soil. Prune this plant to shape periodically to keep growth in check and ensure a neat and tidy appearance. It propagates easily from stem-cuttings and sections of internodal stem-cuttings and tip-cuttings root easily without any rooting hormone powder. It is relatively pest- and disease-free.
Pretty but poisonous Solanum pseudocapsicum!
Solanum pseudocapsicum (most commonly known as Jerusalem
Cherry) has been a Lunar New Year festive plant in Singapore. It is a
good example of a non-traditional plant that has been turned into a
festive plant for the Spring Festival. This plant could have acquired an
auspicious meaning via its attractive fruits that come in a range of
colours shown over the period of fruit maturation and ripening where
they first appear green like jade, then gold and finally, red like a
ruby. All parts of this plant is poisonous. Of particular note are its
fruits which look like cherry tomatoes (they contain solanocapsine and
other alkaloids), so keep fruiting plants and fallen fruit out of reach
by young children and pets.
Solanum pseudocapsicum is documented to be a widespread and
extremely variable species and this plant can grow as a small erect
shrub. In Singapore, we get plants in the nursery that are in the range
of 30 to 50 cm tall when they are sold as container plants for display.
If left to grow, it is documented that a plant can grow up to 1 m tall,
if grown in the ground. Some cultivars can also adopt a prostrating
growth habit. Cultivated plants have rather smooth leaves and produce
have large flowers and fruit.
Some years back, only the variety with all green leaves is available
for sale in Singapore and this year, we get to see a new cultivar with
variegated leaves. Solanum pseudocapsicum is native to the
drier areas of Central and South America, from Mexico to southern
Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, from sea level to 2600 m. Widely
cultivated throughout the world, often escaped in tropical and
subtropical areas.
With these growing conditions in mind, if one is to grow Solanum pseudocapsicum in Singapore, we have to ensure plants are grown in moisture-retentive and well-draining soil. Water well and let the soil become moderately dry between waterings. If you noticed leaves falling, it may be a sign that the plant is given too much water and the plant is experiencing wet feet. Fruit drop could be due to insufficient light. It is a sun-lover and hence it is best positioned in a sunny location.
To encourage bushiness, prune the plant regularly or by pinching the growing points. Do also remember to feed your Solanum pseudocapsicum with liquid fertilizer during the active growing stage. Like chillis and tomatoes, you can help to promote fruit set by tapping its flowers to distribute pollen but also make sure the plant is receiving sufficient sunshine and not grown in too windy a place which can be too dry. Similarly, note that Solanum pseudocapsicum is prone to attacks by whiteflies, mealy bugs, aphids and spider mites attack and frequent checks are required to ensure good health of your plant.
With these growing conditions in mind, if one is to grow Solanum pseudocapsicum in Singapore, we have to ensure plants are grown in moisture-retentive and well-draining soil. Water well and let the soil become moderately dry between waterings. If you noticed leaves falling, it may be a sign that the plant is given too much water and the plant is experiencing wet feet. Fruit drop could be due to insufficient light. It is a sun-lover and hence it is best positioned in a sunny location.
To encourage bushiness, prune the plant regularly or by pinching the growing points. Do also remember to feed your Solanum pseudocapsicum with liquid fertilizer during the active growing stage. Like chillis and tomatoes, you can help to promote fruit set by tapping its flowers to distribute pollen but also make sure the plant is receiving sufficient sunshine and not grown in too windy a place which can be too dry. Similarly, note that Solanum pseudocapsicum is prone to attacks by whiteflies, mealy bugs, aphids and spider mites attack and frequent checks are required to ensure good health of your plant.
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