Gynura

These tropical plants are natives of Indonesia. They belong to the Daisy family, Compositae and will grow 2-3 feet high. G. aurantiaca produces velvety leaves covered with purple hairs and orange flowers, which resemble little shaving brushes. G. bicolor's leaves are gray-purple above and rich purple underneath.

Pot Cultivation

The compost should be rich and have adequate drainage. It should be kept moist but not water logged. They need light shade from strong sunlight. They grow well in a night temperature of 60 degrees with a 5- to 10-degree increase in the day. Plants that have filled their pots up with roots will flourish if given weekly feedings with dilute liquid fertilizer.

Propagation

Cuttings can be set in sand or vermiculite, or in a mixture of sand and peat moss.

G. bicolor

VARIETIES

• G. sarmentosa;
• G. bicolor;
• G. aurantiaca.