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tapeworm-plant
Scientific Name: Eubrachion ambiguum
Family: Eremolepidaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Homalocladium platycladum: The Intriguing Tapeworm Plant
Also known as the centipede plant or ribbonbush, Homalocladium platycladum is a unique and eye-catching plant that often sparks conversation. Its unusual flattened stems give it its common names.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant may have small red fruit.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Homalocladium platycladum (F.J. Muell.) L.H. Bailey
- Synonym: Muehlenbeckia platyclada
- Common Names: Centipede plant, tapeworm plant, ribbonbush, ribbon plant
- Family: Polygonaceae (Knotweed Family)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
- Also found in Papua New Guinea.
- Cultivated as an ornamental plant in other tropical regions.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- An upright-growing shrub that can reach 4 to 8 feet in height. In pots, it typically reaches 3-4 feet.
- Characterized by long, flattened, jointed, and leafless stems that resemble tapeworms. These are technically cladodes.
- New growth may have triangular-lanceolate leaves.
- Tiny white flowers are produced at the joints, followed by small red fruit.
Quirky Facts
- Homalocladium platycladum is the only plant in its genus.
- The stems transition from small and round to wide and flat as they grow.
Ecology
- The plant is described as leafless, which influences its photosynthetic activity and water conservation strategies, impacting its interaction with the surrounding environment.
Further Information
- Plants of Hawaii by Forest and Kim Starr
- Dave's Garden
- Texas A and M University Holistic Garden