Accession Count: 3
Common Name:
Arizona foldwing
Family Name:
Acanthaceae
Botanical Name:
Dicliptera resupinata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Dicliptera resupinata is a perennial herb with an upright growing habit (1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10,11). This plant grows up to 2-3ft tall with a 2-4ft spread (1,2,5,6,7,10). Dicliptera resupinata stems are densely branched, glabrous with a light pubescence at the nodes developing with age (3,5,7,8,11). The leaves are a bright green, and the lamina is ovate/lanceolate (1,3,7,8,10). The leaves are considered glabrous but may have a slight ciliolate texture (3). This plant’s petioles are about 0.75” long, with the leaves measuring 3” long (3,7). Flowers are born on a cyme, and often occur in clusters of 3 (2,8). The peduncles are short, measuring 0.05-0.15” long (3,8). The corolla is light purple and tubular-bilabiate (1,2,3,5,8,10). The flowers are 0.75” long, the upper lip of the corolla is white with purple spots and/or streaks, with the larger lower lip being a solid purple coloration (1,3,5,8). There are two distinctive heart shaped bracts that enclose the base of each flower, giving the appearance of “folded wings” (1,2,3,5,8). The bracts are green at youth, and with age senesce but remain persistent on the stem (1,2,3,5,8). The senesced bracts have a papery texture and white color (2,3,5). The fruit of this plant is a glabrous and flat capsule, measuring 0.20” long, containing copious amounts of small seeds (2,3,5).
Compound:
Dic res
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The Arizona foldwing is native to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northern Mexico (1,2,3,4,5,9,10). This plant is commonly found in shady spots along washes and interior to canyons, and is very prolific in mesquite bosques (1,3,4,5,11). This plant is common in dry woodland slopes and riparian areas and is only found in elevations of 3,000-6,000 ft (3,4,5,11). The genus name “Dicliptera” is derived from the Greek language for “two folded wings” regarding the bracts at the base of each flower, with the specific epithet “resupinata” meaning “upside down” due to the twisting habit of the pedicel (3,5).
Cultivation Notes:
The Arizona foldwing is suitable for cultivation in full sun – part shade with better performance and blooming in full sun (1,6,7,10). This plant is hardy to 26 degrees Fahrenheit, commonly dying back to the ground and returning in the spring, otherwise it will re-seed readily (1,6,7,10). This plant will perform best in USDA Cold Hardiness zones 9a-10a (6). Arizona foldwing likes moderately moist soil, but make sure to not over-water (6). Low to moderate watering once established is suitable, but it performs best with regular watering every two weeks in the hottest time of the year (1,6,10). This plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils (1). This plant can be readily propagated by seed, and by cutting (7). Arizona foldwing will bloom abundantly from April to October (1,2,5).
Ethnobotany:
Arizona foldwing is a suitable choice in southwestern gardens, as it will bloom profusely in both shade and full sun and is generally rodent and rabbit resistant (7). Dicliptera resupinata not only attracts many different species of butterflies, but it is also attractive to both bees and birds, making it an excellent addition to any pollinator garden (1,6). This plant adds accent color to a landscape, and also functions as a mounding ground cover, although it can become weedy in moist areas given its high seed output (1).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Purple
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
