Plant · GBIF taxon 5574508
Nerve Plant
Fittonia albivenisAlso known as Mosaic Plant, Silver Net Leaf, Painted Net Leaf, Silver Fittonia
Nerve plants creep along the humid floor of tropical South American rainforests, spreading via prostrate stems that root at leaf nodes wherever they touch damp leaf litter. Their dark green leaves display an intricate lattice of carmine, pink, or silvery-white veins, an adaptation that maximizes visual light contrast in deep understory shade. Lacking woody tissue, stems collapse dramatically when soil moisture drops, reviving within hours of receiving water.
TropicalEvergreenFoliage Plant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Dissolved soil minerals
Predators
- Spider mites
- Fungus gnat larvae
- Slugs
ThreatsRainforest deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and desiccation
HabitatsTropical rainforest understory, damp shaded forest floors
Life spanPerennial (5 to 10+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLamiales
- FamilyAcanthaceae
- GenusFittonia
- SpeciesFittonia albivenis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe and handle at normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Humidity Maintenance: Keep in terrariums or humid spaces to prevent dry leaf edges.
- Watering Schedule: Water thoroughly as soon as the topsoil begins to dry out.
- Lighting Balance: Provide bright, indirect light, avoiding intense direct sunlight that scorches foliage.
Habitat Neighbor (c) filipeprates, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Family Relative (c) Pablo Cauã da Silva Toledo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Relative (c) Greg III Espera, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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