Family: Acanthaceae

The metallic plant is an herbaceous groundcover valued for its striking foliage. Native to India and Java, the first accession to Hawaii came by way of Figi in 1927 by Gerrit Wilder. An excellent ground cover, the metallic plant grows prostrate, rooting as it grows. It is recommended as a soil binder to plant around the base of large trees. 

The metallic plant does best with slightly acidic, moist soils. Besides the use as a groundcover, metallic plants can be grown in hanging baskets, containers, and indoors. Propagation is easy and fast with stem cuttings. 

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Indoor plant
• Ornamental

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized and spreading in multiple regions (Tonga, Samoa, Florida)
  
• Forms dense low stands that exclude other species
  
• Shade-tolerant, can invade beneath forest canopies
  
• Reproduces vegetatively by rooting at nodes (cuttings, fragments)
  
• Propagules easily dispersed unintentionally (lawns, trails, garden waste)
  
• Intentionally spread by people as ornamental ground cover

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No toxicity to animals or humans
  
• No fire hazard (prefers moist environments)
  
• No viable seed production (pollen sterile, no fruit)
  
• No seed dispersal (wind, water, animals, gut passage)