Siderasis

The genus name comes from the Greek sideros - iron: the whole plant, like armor, is densely covered with erect reddish-brown hairs. The genus contains a single species.

Siderasis fuscata – (Siderasis fuscata Moore = Pyrrheima fuscata Bak.)

A perennial herbaceous plant with an extremely short stem and leaves gathered in a rosette. Leaves elliptical or oblong-ovate, shortly acuminate, large (10-15, up to 20 cm long, 7-10 cm wide), with a grooved petiole, olive-green above with a silvery stripe along the midrib, purple-violet beneath. The entire plant, including the flowering stem and sepals, is densely pubescent with straight, spreading reddish-brown or purple hairs. Few bright blue or purple flowers in simple terminal cymes on short (3-5 cm) whitish hairy pedicels. Sepals and petals 3 each, free. Native to Brazil.

The plant is rare and is not often mentioned in the literature, although it deserves attention because of its unpretentiousness and adaptability, like all Commelinaceae. Like its relatives, it easily blooms with lilac three-petaled flowers. It grows only in a rosette. Leaves become huge with age; if the tip of an adult plant is rooted, it will immediately look attractive, whereas young offshoots will require more effort.

They will appear only after removing the apical cutting. The rarity of this plant may be connected with difficulties in propagation, because among the Commelinaceae Siderasis is arguably one of the most attractive, perhaps after Campelia, yet it appears extremely rarely. Seed propagation is also difficult. Leaves are heavily pubescent. In winter the leaf tips may dry slightly, which should be avoided: Siderasis grows rather slowly due to the very large leaves that unfold with difficulty. However, once they unfold, they are impressive.

They are completely pubescent on both sides; the hairs are long and feel like short animal fur. The underside of the leaf is burgundy, and on the upper side a wide silvery stripe runs down the center.

Location: Siderasis will grow in partial shade, even in shade; it prefers room temperature but can tolerate a drop to +12–+14 °C.

Light: partial shade

Watering: should be moderate, as the top layer of soil dries out; better to let it dry than to overwater. It tolerates a short period of drought well.

Humidity: high; the leaves are heavily pubescent, so be cautious with misting. It is better to humidify the space around the plant.

Care: feed Siderasis during the growing season once every two weeks; in winter it is practically not fed.

Propagation: by division. Seed propagation, as well as propagation by cuttings, is difficult.

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