Pseuderanthemum Carruthersii

Showy, erect, woody, moderate-growing shrub with an attractive crown of waxy, broad, pointed, somewhat irregular, variegated, somewhat irregular, waxy leaves in a combination of different shades of green, with purple and silvery tones, and regularly produces small clusters of pink flowers.

Leaves entire, simple, opposite, narrowly ovate, attenuate (becoming thinner) at the base, acuminate (tapering to a point) at the apex, waxy, up to 15 cm long and 6 cm wide, dark green, with irregular silvery-purple margins; petioles maroon to magenta, 1-2 cm long.

Stems woody, glabrous (smooth; not rough or hairy), maroon to magenta.

Flowers erect, loosely clustered, appearing at the tips of the branches, pink, more intense pink at the throat of the corolla. 

Fruits are capsule-shaped, club-shaped, containing 4 flat seeds.

The plant is equally at home in full sun or partial shade. Although an adaptable plant, it prefers a rich, moist, well-drained soil with considerable amounts of mulch or compost. Prune regularly and vigorously to reduce size, induce vigour and develop a more compact form. Propagated by cuttings, which root readily in a potting mix with warm conditions.

The genus epithet 'Pseuderanthemum' comes from the Latin words 'pseudo', meaning 'false' and 'Eranthemum', a genus of plants, in reference to the usual confusion with its close relatives in the genus 'Eranthemum', so they are given the prefix that makes them 'false' eranthemums.