Acanthaceae
Blepharis maderaspatensis
Creeping Blepharis
H
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This scrambling perennial herb typically grows procumbent or trailing, with stems reaching up to 2.5 metres long and often rooting at the nodes. Its leaves are arranged in unequal pairs or false whorls of four, are ovate to elliptic, and can be hairy with entire or sparsely toothed margins. The plant produces white or cream-coloured, two-lipped flowers with mauve or purple veins, borne in solitary or clustered spike-like inflorescences.
Where it works in Kilifi
Well-suited for dry, disturbed areas, rock gardens, or as a groundcover in Kilifi, this species thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils. Its scrambling habit makes it ideal for erosion control or naturalising in scrublands and grasslands.
Growing notes
Creeping Blepharis is a drought-tolerant perennial that can reach up to 2.5 metres in length. It is well-adapted to tropical dry biomes and requires low water once established, often regrowing from its rootstock after dry periods.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: grokipedia.com, wikipedia.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw, flowersofindia.net, botanyjournals.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.