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Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense'

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Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb. 'Ugandense'

Family Name: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Synonyms: Acrymia myricoides, Siphonanthus , Cyrtostemma , Cyrtostemma , Cyclonema
Common Name: Blue Butterfly Bush, Blue Glory Bower, Blue Oxford Bush, Blue Cambridge Bush

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 2 m to 3 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 2 m to 3 m

Biogeography

Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Woody evergreen shrub that reaches 1.8-2.7 m tall.
Foliage Leaves are elliptic with serrate leaf margin. Crushed leaves emit a pungent odour.
Flowers Flowers resemble butterflies, having 4 white to light blue, lateral petals and 1 blue to purplish blue, downward-pointing petal. The long, white to bluish stamens arch over the petals and serve as a landing platform for insect pollinators. Flowers are arranged in branched inflorescences known as panicles and are located at the branch tips.   
Fruit Dry fruits are known as schizocarps.
Cultivation This fast-growing cultivar is easy to grow. Prune the plants to maintain a bushy shape and promote flowering. It is resistant to most pests.
Etymology The genus name "Rotheca" is a Latin version of small teak in the Malayalam language (a major language spoken in southern India). The cultivar name "Ugandense" is derived from the German name of Rotheca myricoides ("Uganda-Losstrauch").

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Flowerbed / Border, Focal Plant, Container Planting, Pest-Repellent Plant
Usage Hazard - Cons Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar), Bee-Attracting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Purple, Blue

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 529
Species ID 1825
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 15 February 2022.
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