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Brownea rosa-de-monte
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Brownea ariza |
| Common Name: | Rose of Venezuela, Ariza, Palo de Cruz |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Venezuela |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub with a spreading growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Pinnately compound leaves are composed of 4 - 9 pairs of oblong to elliptic leaflets with wavy leaf margin. Young leaves emerge as a pendulous cascade of foliage, like a handkerchief. |
| Stems | Twigs are densely hairy. |
| Flowers | Cup-shaped flowers are arranged in a ball-shaped inflorescence. Flowers are composed of 6 bright red petals and several stamens that are yellow near the base but red at the tip. The stamens and style are much longer than the petals, resulting in a puffball-like appearance. |
| Fruit | Green seed pods (15 cm long, 5 cm wide) gradually turn orange to dark brown at maturity. They have a velvet-like surface and contain 1 - 2 large seeds (5 cm long, 4 cm wide). Seeds are light brown, squarish to round and have a wrinkled surface. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is commonly known as the handkerchief tree due to its drooping, cascade of pendulous young leaves. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting, Bird-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1466 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2759 |
| 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. |
