Callisia elegans



Callisia elegans.

Family Commelinaceae.

The Striped inch plant forms dense clumps.

The fleshy, branched stems, with roots at the nodes, creep laterally and produce new plants.

Leaves are alternate, closely spaced and have a short hairy sheath at the base.
The hairy, ovate leaves, up to 10 cm long, are green with white stripes.
The lower surface is a greenish or bright purple.

The semi-erect inflorescence stalks carry dense clusters of white flowers.
They are terminal or in the axils of the terminal leaves.

Flowers, usually have no stalk and have papery bracts at the base.
Flowers have 3 sepals and 3 round petals.
The small fruit capsules are hidden in the remains of the flowers and their bracts.

J.F.