Tapeworm ( Homalocladium platycladium ). Ornamental plant, natural from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea . It is an evergreen shrub, widely branched, of vertical growth and climbing habit that requires some type of support to grow upright and not be overcome by the weight of the whole of the bush. Their flattened stems and joints resemble the so-called wormworm rings.
Summary
[ hide ]
- 1 Names
- 2 Features
- 3 Crop
- 4 Sources
Names
- Common Name: Tapeworm
- Scientific name: Homalocladium platycladium
characteristics
- Although grown in soil it can reach several meters in height, in a pot it will manage to reach around 1.5m high and a loose volume across the width.
- The plant develops a dense amount of narrow leaves called filocladios , which are actually leaf-like stems and function as such.
- They belong to flexible, strong, narrow stems, very flattened, striated, segmented, with the appearance of ribbons and bright green in color. The old stems take a more rounded shape.
- The authentic leaves arise in the axils of the stems, they are small, spear-shaped and they remain for a short time in the bush, occasionally leaving only a few.
- Autumn flowering, this can last until the arrival of winter if the temperatures are mild.
Plant flower
- The flowers form small groups of minuscule greenish-white flowers, arise at the joints of the stems. (Generally the bush is leafless in the flowering phase)
- At the end of flowering, they are followed by small fruits of a pinkish hue that turn garnet when ripe.
- As it is a plant with regions of warm temperatures, it will not withstand winter frosts; if they occur, a sheltered area must be provided to protect it.
Culture
- It must be grown in areas of the garden with very bright shade, in these conditions the stems are preserved with a lush intense green coloring, while if exposed to the sun , the stems will become somewhat yellowish, which will reduce the attractiveness of the plant.
- It is able to adapt to living indoors as long as it is placed in a place with a large dose of light
- This plant loves humidity and warm temperatures.
- The substrate in the period of maximum heat must be kept sufficiently moist at all times, not allowing it to dry out while the heat persists.
- Frequent spraying over the entire plant will be very beneficial in the summer to keep it fresh and clean.
- Irrigation should be greatly reduced in winter, without allowing the soil to dry completely.
- Soil should be nutrient-rich, loose, and fertilized every twenty days, using a liquid fertilizer for green leafy plants, or use a slow-release fertilizer early in the season.
- It is propagated in a simple and easy way by means of cuttings in spring and summer or by seeds.
- the containers or pots must be wide, due to the volume that the plant acquires.
