GEOPHILA REPENS

FAMILY OF RUBIACEAE

 

 

NOMENCLATURE AND SIGNIFICANCEKLATUR UND BEDEUTUNG: CAUÁ-PIRÍ OR CAUÁ-PIXI comes from the Tupi-Guarani and means "herb of round leaves, are the fruit of the color of blood." Also known as Moranguinho do mato or Cafezinho Rasteiro. The botanical name comes from GEO - soil, PHILA - loving; REPENS - crawling.

http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2012/index?mode=sv&group=Root_.Angiospermas_&family=Root_.Angiospermas_.Rubiaceae_&genus=Geophila&species=&author=&common=&occurs=1&region=&state=&phyto=&endemic=&origin=&vegetation=&last_level=subspecies&listopt=1

NOTES: This is a rare species of herb with fruits, in the undergrowth of semi-evergreen forest in the municipality Cesário Lange - SP was discovered in February 2011. The plant is very rare, very difficult to find and threatened extinction. Plants of this species are not found in the woods under the human influence and shows up as indiactor for protected places with rich biodiversity. The nature thrives and begins to bear fruit here at Frutas Raras.

Features: It is a creeping herb, 10 cm high, covered with vines, the large floor areas such as carpet. The branches are bare (hairless), but the young leaves, petioles and stipules are sparsely hairy. The young branches and leaves of the new shoots are colored light red, have internodes 2-5 cm. The stipule (modified film), which is located on the axis of the blades is triangular, or oval, measuring 2-3 mm in length. The leaf blade measures 2.2-5.5 cm in length and 1.8 to 4.5 cm in width, ovate and heart-shaped base with membranous structure (smooth), and rounded tip. The flowers appear on the terminal branches of the length of 2 to 4.5 cm, compressed, with 3-5 flowers sitting only (without handle) by bracts (modified slide) 4-9 mm, petals are only five of us and whitish. The berries are round, red when ripe and are from 0.7 to 1.2 cm in diameter with one or two woody seeds.

Culture tips: It is extremely adaptable to different climatic conditions, does not tolerate direct sunlight. In nature it grows in the woods, where they are protected against walks of the animals like the cattles. They can be grown from sea level up to altitudes of 1000 m on sandy soil with sandy or muddy consistency, but with a good layer of rotting leaves and good rain water drainage. Protected under the trees can withstand frosts and drought.

Propagation: The seeds measure 3 to 4 mm in length and may be stored for long time. They need 40 to 120 days after the fall of the ripe fruits at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of temperature decrease for germination, so that the seeds have the mechanism of dormancy, they awaken only at this stage when the conditions for germination and full development of low are. Use of sandy soil rich in organic matter. The seedlings reach 10 cm in 8 to 12 months after germination, the fruit begins at the age of 3 to 4 years. The plant spreads easily from cuttings or rooted shoots from the mother plant, under these conditions, the fruit begins after 1 to 2 years. It can be kept in large pots or flat trays.

 

Planting: Can be planted in the understory or in shaded places in a distance of 50 cm x 50 cm are planted, the planting hole should be 30 inches in width, depth and length. They sohuld be filled 30 cm with fertile soil which is mixed with 18 liters of gravel, 4 kg of manure and slurry, 200 g of lime and 1kg of wood ash. Can be incorporated for 2 months, the time of planting is from October to December. Then simply irrigate with 10 liters of water after planting and once a month when it is not raining. To plant in pots (25 cm high and 60 cm wide), use red earth and the same mixture as above, a 4 cm layer of stones on the bottom of the pot ensures the rapid drainage.

 

Culture: The plant grows slowly and requires no special care, just weeds must be weeded regularly, so that the plant is not stifled. Fertilization with organic compost, it may be well mixed with 5 g of NPK 10-10-10 and 100 g of chicken manure, carefully spread in powder form under the sheets. If the plant's leaves wilt, the soil surface is very dry and it's time to pour.

 

Use: Fruiting from January to August. The fruits can be used for raw consumption or for the production of juices, candy or ice cream. The plant can also be grown successfully as a ground cover in shady gardens.

 

 

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