Nemesia fruticans cv.
Common name
Mauve nemesia
Family
Plantaginaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Flower colours
Blue, Violet/Purple, White
Life cycle
A perennial herbaceous plant that is commonly grown in gardens as an annual
Propagation technique
Nemesia fruticans (a perennial) is used mostly as a flowering bedding plant and as an ornamental pot plant. Various colour forms are available from specialist nurseries. Plants are mostly raised from stem cuttings to ensure ‘pure’ lines and (if so desired) seed.
Year naturalised
2013
Origin
South Africa
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Etymology
nemesia: The name “Nemesia” is derived from the name “Nemesion”, the generic name of a similar plant.
fruticans: The epithet “fruticans” is derived from the Latin word “frutex” which means a shrubby plant.
New Zealand specimens of Nemesia fruticans are probably not pure but of hybrid origin for this reason we designate the few collections / records known with the abbreviation ‘cv’ (cultivar). An exact parentage for the wild plants in New Zealand is as yet unkown (P.M. Datson pers. comm.).
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by C.C. Ogle (6 October 2014).