Homalocladium

Homalocladium platycladum (centipede plant, tapeworm plant or ribbonbush) is a plant in the knotweed family from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It is the sole species in the genus Homalocladium.

This plant had been naturalized also in other tropical regions, as Puerto Rico,India, Bolivia, Madagascar, Nicaragua and Pakistan It is also known by the name Muehlenbeckia platyclada.

Description

Evergreen shrub with flattened, jointed, green stems and arrow-shaped leaves. This shrub has both spreading and climbing tendencies. Flowers are short-lived and compact. Grows in well-drained soil that is moist in full sun. It also grows well in sandy loam to clayey soil with pH 5.5 to 6. Will tolerate some shade, heat and humidity. It grows 2 to 4 ft. high and 1.5 to 3 ft. wide. Leaves dark green, elongated, flattened, alternately arranged on a flat stem. Flowers tiny, white to light pink. Blooms from early to late spring.

Problems

Fungi: powdery mildew

Powdery Mildew is usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light. Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid. The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit. Leaves will often turn yellow or brown, curl up, and drop off. New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted. Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early.