Hemigraphis colorata

Hemigraphis colorata (Hemigraphis alternata) broad leaf is a very popular plant for the aquarium. With bright crimson undersides and dark green upper surface, it's leaves have a hammered appearance which makes the plant doubly attractive. A fairly easy plant to grow if the aquarium has a rich substrate and good lighting. Propagate by cuttings that form adventitious roots on the nodes of the slightly hairy stems.

• Height: 12-25 cm
• Width: 8-15 cm
• Light requirements: low-high
• Temperature: 18-28°C
• Hardness tolerance: soft-hard
• pH tolerance: 6-8
• Growth: medium
• Demands: medium

A terrarium plant sometimes used in aquariums and goldfish bowls. Can be used as a decorative plant, but only lasts a few months. The good balance of an aquarium is disturbed if there are too many of this type of plant. Not eaten by herbivorous fish.

This plant is also called Murikoodi (Hemigraphis colorata) from the fact that it is a quick healer of fresh cuts and wounds. Muri or murivu in Malayalam means a cut or wound and kooduka means to gather and here it refers to wound healing. Thus murikoodi can be translated into a wound-healer.

Habitat

Use as tropical ground cover or as an attractive hanging basket. Grows best in part shade, moist soil.  Growing naturally in moist evergreen forests in India, also as a garden plant.

Medicinal and herbal

Different experiments have proved the effectiveness of this herb with red-purple stem and leaves in curing wounds and its antiseptic properties. One medicinal name is Murikootti (Murikoodi). It cures fresh wound, cuts, ulcers, inflammation, it is used internally for anemia.

Hemigraphis colorata Exotica

H. colorata Exotica  has crinkled leaves. Though these plants are  capable of tolerating full sunlight, they  may get scorched if the climate is dry.