Common name: False eranthemum

Native to the Pacific island of Vanuatu, this shrub is valued for its ornamental leaves, which display a kaleidoscope of colours. It is commonly 1 to 2 meters tall, low branching, erect and densely foliaged with large- to medium- sized, oval-shaped leaves. These have a fleshy, waxy texture and come variegated in hues of pink to wine red and dark purple. It is sometimes confused with the common Garden Croton (Codiaeum variegatum), to which it is unrelated. The fruit are club-shaped seed capsules containing four seed

An erect, wood shrub that grows to a height between 1 to 2 meters. Densely foliaged, particularly in full to partial sun exposure. Flowers are small, purple and borne in loose clusters at the tips of the branches throughout much of the year and are somewhat showy Moderate drought and salt tolerance. Number of varieties [SC]

Use: Hedges, specimen plant for its colourful, showy foliage. It is recommended for cultivation in dry, seaside gardens and landscapes in Hawaii.

Climate: Grows naturally in sub-humid to humid tropical coastal and lowland climates, generally in areas with average annual low temperatures of 19 to 24 C, average annual high temperatures of 28 to 33 C and annual rainfall of 1000 to 3000 mm.