Aneilema acuminatum
pointed aneilema
Eastern Australia (Queensland to New South Wales)
Overview
Aneilema acuminatum is a soft-stemmed perennial herb in the spiderwort family, forming trailing to scrambling stems 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) long that root at the nodes where they touch the ground. The leaves are lance-shaped with a drawn-out pointed tip, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long and 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) wide, mid-green, glossy, and arranged alternately along the fleshy stems. Small three-petalled flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across appear in loose branched clusters at the stem tips, white to pale blue, opening for part of a day. The fruit is a small capsule holding a few seeds. Flowering occurs mainly in the warmer months. The plant grows in moist, shaded sites on the floor and margins of rainforest and wet eucalypt forest in eastern Australia. It spreads by rooting stems to form a low groundcover in damp shade. It is sensitive to frost and dry exposure, and the soft stems wilt quickly in direct sun.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to New South Wales. It grows in moist, shaded rainforest and wet forest, often along creek banks and on shaded slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a groundcover for moist, shaded gardens, courtyards, and the bases of larger plants. It suits rainforest-style and fernery plantings and hanging or trailing containers. It tolerates the low light of sheltered patios and indoor positions with bright indirect light.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in the warmer months, from late spring through summer. The small white to pale-blue three-petalled flowers, 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across, open for part of a day in loose clusters at the stem tips. Flowering continues over several weeks where moisture is steady.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale blueFoliage Description
Mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Aneilema acuminatum in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. It needs steady moisture and shelter from direct sun and drying wind, conditions that match its rainforest-floor habitat. The soft stems wilt and scorch in full sun and dry air. It tolerates little frost and is grown as a frost-free groundcover or in containers in cooler regions. Trimming the rooting stems keeps the spread in check in confined beds.Pruning
Trim trailing stems at any time to control the spread and shape the clump. Remove frost-damaged or dried stems as new growth appears in spring. Stem cuttings root readily in damp soil for propagation.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons