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Rainforests of South America - a paradise for naturalists and botanists. Even in the nineteenth century, among the lush greenery of scientists, decorative leafy species of fittons were attracted. In fact, the plant is not large at all, and if it were not for the original coloring of oval or ovoid leaves, creeping fittonia shoots would have waited for their researcher for a long time.
But how to get past the green-pink, white-green, purple, purple or olive-carmine curtain?
Thanks to the incredible coloring of the leaves, named after the Fitton sisters, the British popularizers of botany fittonia began to enjoy incredible success with the amateur flower growers of the whole world.
Classifications and Interesting Facts about Fittonia
Today, many varieties of this crop have been developed, famous giant and dwarf fittons, but scientists have not come to a common opinion regarding the classification of the plant.
One school of nerds identifies three distinct species:
- Fittonia vershaffeliti;
- Fittonia argentus( Fittonia argyroneura);
- fittonia giant( Fittonia gigantea).
However, this opinion has many opponents who believe that fittonia is a single species, only having a rare variability. It is obvious that supporters of both theories have their own arguments. One can only say for sure that the overwhelming number of cultivated varieties of a perennial herbaceous plant has been obtained through breeding and is not found in nature.
From their natural ancestors, the indoor species of fittonia received:
- a love of moisture;
- capricious temper worthy of such bright beauties;
- climbing, creeping or erect shoots;
- inconspicuous, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences white or yellowish flowers.
It is to the inconspicuous flowering that the plant is bound to the brightness of the leaves that serve as a bait for pollinating insects.
In addition, there are some interesting facts about fittonia that will be curious to its fans.
The unusual color of leaf plates serves as a warning for herbivores that can harm not only small plants, but also themselves. Although official sources do not mention the toxicity of certain types of fittonia, the locals have long collected and thawed its leaves. The drink obtained from them is used as a medicine for headache and toothache, as well as during Indian rituals as a hallucinogen.
Types of fittonia for home cultivation
Named after the German botanist of the last century, Fittonia Vershaffeltta is a small herb. In nature and in pot culture, the flower is grown as a perennial. And its characteristic feature are willingly branching creeping shoots, covered with pubescent ovate or oval leaves.
Vershelt Fittonia leaf plates cannot be confused with any other culture. The network of veins on them is colored in contrasting with the rest of the shades, which makes 10-15 cm plant incredibly noticeable, unique. Getting to the fertile soil, shoots on the nodes quickly give roots and root. Plants with bright pink, purple and maroon veins are traditionally classified as this species.
Flowering, like the other types of fittonia, is very modest. Above the cap of greenery appear green inflorescences-spikes with single yellowish flowers covered with stipules.
The group of fittonium silversilver plants includes plants with white or silver veins on a dark, purple, brownish or light green background. You can hear that this species is called white-toed fittonia, which is also true, but is considered a somewhat outdated version of the name.
Inside the population there are quite large varieties, small-leaved varieties and true dwarfs, genuinely loved by growers involved in the design of terrariums and decorative aquariums. An example of such dwarf fittonia is the variety F. argyroneura Nana with leaves no more than 2–3 cm long.
Fittonia Giant is a giant exclusively among its fellows. The height of the plant does not exceed half a meter, and the length of velvety, slightly compressed along the veins leaves reaches 15 cm. The “record” size of the flower is not due to creeping, as in other species, but to erect or slightly falling down stems.
Egg-like leaves with a pointed tip can be either thick green or purple-purple. At the same time, the network of veins is not as noticeable as on small plants, and is colored in reddish or pinkish tones.
. Plant varieties for indoor floriculture.
. Flower shops most often offer small growers with young plants decorated with Fittonia Mix labels. Beginners take the inscription for the name of the variety, but connoisseurs know that this is just a commercial name for hybrid plants for commercial use.
They are unpretentious, compact, decorative and adapted to growing in a potted pot or aquarium. However, to collect a truly precious collection of fittons, you should pay attention to varietal specimens.
The Fortissimo variety of room fittonia is distinguished by the oval or almost round shape of small leaves, which adorn a bright network of red-pink veins.
Shirokolkanetsovidnye leaves of Fittonia Frankie are painted in delicate pink or coral tones, on which placers of green sprays look especially elegant and an equally thin shuttlecock on the edge of the plate.
A great variety of fitosia Josan combines all shades of red, coral-pink, green. Young leaves are noticeably lighter. What perfectly distinguishes outlet centers and gives the entire curtain a remarkable amount.
The Red Fittonia variety is addressed to the original natures. This is a real riot of colors, and the traditional green here plays only the role of a thin edge.
Breeders have long been working on entire collections of fittonia varieties and hybrids. An example of this is the Red Vein fitton's dedicated wine series with dark green leaf plates pierced with bright broad veins of red.
Fittonia silver-pink Pink Vein is softer than its “sister” in the family. The plant has white and pink streaks, the color of which is much richer on the young foliage.
In White Vein fittonia, the foliage has a fresh, spring-like shade of green, and a network of veins radiates snow-white.
Although the White Anne variety is also a silver-toychic fittonia, it produces a very different impression. The sheet plates along the edge are corrugated and framed with a dark green border. A chalky white streaks, spreading, occupy the entire area of the sheet.
Among florists, Skeleton fittonia with greenish-yellow leaves, dotted with a network of pink veins, is particularly recognized.
Perseus Dwarf Fittonia belongs to the extensive group of Vershelt's Fittonium. A small, barely reaching a height of 10–12 cm, the plant has creeping pubescent stems covered with oval-pointed leaves. Pink or crimson veins are clearly visible on the green background color of the leaf plates.
Original Mosaic Kings Cross Fittonia is most reminiscent of sea foam or exquisite lace. Corrugated pointed leaves are almost entirely painted white. About greenery resembles the finest piping with a scattering of small sprays.
