Status:
valid
Authors:
Danser
Source:
ksu
Year:
1929
Citation Micro:
Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg , sér. 3, 10: 317 (1929)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000719070
Common Names
- Helixanthera Ensifolia
- Sword-leaf Helixanthera
- Sword-leaf Helix
Synonyms
- Loranthus ensifolius Thwaites [unknown]
- Phoenicanthemum ensifolium Tiegh. [unknown]
Description
Helixanthera ensifolia (also called Sword-Leaf Helixanthera, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the tropical regions of South America. It has an erect stem and ovate-lanceolate leaves, with a white and pink flower. It is found in wet soils, such as swamps, marshes, and riverbanks.
Uses & Benefits
Helixanthera ensifolia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a medicinal plant for treating skin diseases, wounds, and ulcers.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Helixanthera ensifolia is a white or yellow, five-petaled star-shaped flower. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped seed. The seedling is a small, green, oval-shaped seedling.
Cultivation and Propagation
Helixanthera ensifolia is a perennial herb that can be propagated by seed or by division. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils. It is tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and can be grown in water up to 1.5m deep.
Where to Find Helixanthera ensifolia
Helixanthera ensifolia is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Species in the Helixanthera genus
Helixanthera lambertiana,
Helixanthera odorata,
Helixanthera alata,
Helixanthera balansae,
Helixanthera beccarii,
Helixanthera brevicalyx,
Helixanthera cleghornii,
Helixanthera crassipetala,
Helixanthera cylindrica,
Helixanthera ensifolia,
Helixanthera flabellifolia,
Helixanthera hookeriana,
Helixanthera huillensis,
Helixanthera intermedia,
Helixanthera kirkii,
Helixanthera lepidophylla,
Helixanthera ligustrina,
Helixanthera longispicata,
Helixanthera mannii,
Helixanthera maxwelliana,
Helixanthera parasitica,
Helixanthera parishii,
Helixanthera pulchra,
Helixanthera setigera,
Helixanthera spathulata,
Helixanthera spicata,
Helixanthera subalata,
Helixanthera sublgustrina,
Helixanthera verruculosa,
Helixanthera wallichiana,
Helixanthera schizocalyx,
Helixanthera garciana,
Helixanthera woodii,
Helixanthera obtusata,
Helixanthera periclymenoides,
Helixanthera tetrapartita,
Helixanthera thomsonii,
Helixanthera coccinea,
Helixanthera sampsonii,
Helixanthera terrestris,
Helixanthera guangxiensis,
Helixanthera scoriarum,
Helixanthera delavayi,
Helixanthera sessiliflora,
Species in the Loranthaceae family
Actinanthella menyharthii,
Actinanthella wyliei,
Aetanthus andreanus,
Aetanthus colombianus,
Aetanthus coriaceus,
Aetanthus dichotomus,
Aetanthus engelsii,
Aetanthus macranthus,
Aetanthus mutisii,
Aetanthus nodosus,
Aetanthus ornatus,
Aetanthus ovalis,
Aetanthus trifolius,
Aetanthus prolongatus,
Aetanthus sessilifolius,
Aetanthus verticillatus,
Aetanthus megaphyllus,
Aetanthus pascoensis,
Aetanthus tachirensis,
Aetanthus validus,
Agelanthus atrocoronatus,
Agelanthus bipartitus,
Agelanthus brunneus,
Agelanthus combreticola,
Agelanthus copaiferae,
Agelanthus crassifolius,
Agelanthus deltae,
Agelanthus dichrous,
Agelanthus discolor,
Agelanthus djurensis,
Agelanthus dodonaeifolius,
Agelanthus elegantulus,
Agelanthus entebbensis,
Agelanthus falcifolius,
Agelanthus flammeus,
Agelanthus fuellebornii,
Agelanthus gilgii,
Agelanthus glaucoviridis,
Agelanthus glomeratus,
Agelanthus gracilis,
Agelanthus guineensis,
Agelanthus henriquesii,
Agelanthus heteromorphus,
Agelanthus igneus,
Agelanthus irangensis,
Agelanthus kayseri,
Agelanthus keilii,
Agelanthus krausei,
Agelanthus kraussianus,
Agelanthus lancifolius,