A Case of Mistaken Identity
Author: Wendy Benfer, Kingaroy Branch
Published: Journal March 2021
In the May edition of our Newsletter, I used this Hypoestes sp. as an example of a plant, flowering in our garden, that was attracting insects, particularly bees.
It was bought in 2017, from a reputable Landcare nursery, as Hypoestes floribunda. Last year, we obtained another Hypoestes sp. from Bev Kapernick, at one of the Branch plant swaps. She suggested that we seek identification from the Herbarium to clarify any uncertainty.
We recently visited the Queensland Herbarium with samples of the one from the Landcare nursery (Below) and the one from Bev, (Further Below)(not looking its best because of the effects of winter).
Hypoestes aristata – WEED
Hypoestes floribunda var. floribunda – NATIVE
The verdict was that the Landcare specimen is Hypoestes aristata, introduced from southern Africa and naturalised in parts of south-east Queensland and northern NSW. It is considered to be an environmental weed. Bev’s is Hypoestes floribunda var. floribunda, an Australian native.
Leaves of Hypoestes aristata (Lelft) and Hypoestes floribunda (Right)