Bloodleaf, Iresine

Iresine species (multiple species and their derivatives)

eye-res-EYE-nee

Amaranthaceae

Explanation of name:   From FNA: Greek eiresione, a wreath or staff entwined with strips of wool, alluding to the long woolly hairs often encircling the calyx

Natural range: Depends on species

Recognition: Herbs or shrubs with colorful foliage, usually but not always reddish, sometimes green with white stripes (as in ‘Aureo-Reticulata’), the leaf veins usually colored differently from the rest of the blade.   Reminiscent of Coleus at superficial glance, but not with the mint like flowers of Coleus.  The flowers are tiny and in branchy fuzzy open panicles, differing from the bracteate heads of Gomphrena and Alternanthera, which can have similar foliage.

Landscape uses:  Colorful annuals or perennials. Propagate from cuttings

Internet sources: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2004/archives/2004/in_the_garden3/flowering_plants_and_shrubs/iresine

http://www.iresineworld.tk

http://www.toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=116495