James H. Schutte
Family
Acanthaceae
Botanical Name
ASYSTASIA gangetica
Plant Common Name
Ganges Primrose
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Successful in many warm soils, the spreading foliage of Ganges primrose is a lovely backdrop for the white or yellow blossoms that flush purple with maturity. An exact nativity is uncertain, but believed to hail from eastern Africa, and India eastward into Malaysia. This is a tender perennial or subshrub that sprawls out and is reminiscent of a large petunia plant. It is usually regarded as a pretty weed in the tropics (in lawns), often invasive along the beaches.
The medium green leaves are plump ovals to heart-shaped and held in opposite pairs on the creeping or clambering stems. Anytime when temperatures are warm and soil moisture ample, funnel-shaped flowers appear, opening white or yellow and becoming flushed with purple tones as they age. The blossom has five flaring lobes and will attract long-tongued moths.
Grow the Ganges primrose in full to partial sun in average to nutrient poor waste soils. Tolerant of drought and salt spray, this adds to this plant's ability to establish and attain weed status across the world's tropical regions. If selected for garden use, mulch under and around the plant to diminish its weedy tendencies. In colder regions it holds promise for use as an annual groundcover or container plant.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
18"-36" / 45.7cm - 91.4cm
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Eastern Africa, Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
