Dischidia ruscifolia, also known as million hearts, is an epiphytic plant native to the Philippines.

Dischidia ruscifolia
"Dischidia ruscifolia" at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Dischidia ruscifolia at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Dischidia
Species:
D. ruscifolia
Binomial name
Dischidia ruscifolia
Synonyms[1]
  • Dischidia myrtillus Schltr.

Description

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This decorative plant comprises stiff, slender green shoots that grow to 3.3 feet in length before taking root at the tip and continuing, which are densely decorated in pairs of stiff, succulent, heart-shaped leaves; hence the name "Million Hearts". Many tiny white flowers appear on the internodes and remain for long periods of time. The plant looks graceful in a hanging pot, but is found in dense clumps and clusters on overhead tree branches in its habitat.[2]

Cultivation

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Dischidia ruscifolia is very easily propagated from cuttings and will survive a wide range of treatment from a gardener.

References

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  1. ^ "The Plant List".
  2. ^ The Complete Encyclopedia of Succulents by Zdenek Jezek and Libor Kunte.