‘Exotica’ is commonly called waffle plant or purple waffle plant in recognition of its waffled, glossy maroon-purple leaves. It is primarily valued as a ground cover or container plant for its puckered and colorful foliage.
Hemgraphis is a genus of about 90 species of low-growing annuals, perennials and subshrubs from Tropical Asia. Genus name comes from the Greek words hemi meaning half and graphis meaning brush (for one half of a brush) referring to the dense hair-covering on the filaments of the outer stamens. ‘Exotica’ is a prostrate tropical perennial that typically grows to 6-9” tall and spreads indefinitely along the ground rooting at the stem nodes as it goes. Puckered, ovate leaves (to 3.5” long) are glossy maroon to purplish-green above and wine red beneath. Small white flowers in terminal spikes bloom in late spring to early summer.
