Gynura aurantiaca (velvet plant)

Gynura aurantiaca is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and originates from the islands of Java and Sulawesi. It grows to about one meter tall with leaves up to 8 cm in size, but usually remains smaller. Its leaves and stems are dark green with a slight metallic sheen and densely covered with dark purple hairs. It has small, yellow to orange flower heads.

In nature, it grows in rather open, dry habitats such as meadows or light secondary forests. It is therefore not a typical understory plant of the rainforest and should not be kept in shady or damp conditions. Although it is often used in terrariums, it is also very well suited as a houseplant and quite easy to care for.