Back
Brownea grandiceps
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Common Name: | Rose of Venezuela, Rose of the Mountain, Rose of the Jungle, Scarlet Flame Bean |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
|---|
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small, slow-growing tree, able to reach up to about 20 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Bark is light brown with horizontal lenticels. |
| Foliage | Pinnately compound leaves are composed of 4 - 9 pairs of oblong to elliptic leaflets with wavy leaf margin, each leaf measuring about 30 cm long, pendulous young leaves are brown with green specks. |
| Flowers | Flowers are cup-shaped with about 5- 6 bright red petals and several yellow stamens. Flowers are arranged in a ball-shaped inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Fruits are orange to dark brown seed pods (15 cm long, 5 cm wide) that contain 1 - 2 large seeds (5 cm long, 4 cm wide). Seeds are light brown, squarish to round and have a wrinkled surface. |
| Etymology | Genus Brownea is named after Patrick Browne (1720 - 1790), who was an Irish botanist and physician, and also the author of "History of Jamaica". Species grandiceps means having a showy head of flowers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Infused dried flowers can be used to treat dysentery. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting, Bird-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1465 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2758 |
| 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. |
