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Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers

Family Name:	Rubiaceae
Synonyms:	Manettia lanceolata, Pseudomussaenda lanceolata, Ophiorrhiza lanceolata
Common Name:	Egyptian Star-cluster, Star-cluster, Maids-of-all-work, Egyptian Star

Pentas lanceolata or commonly known as Egyptian Star-cluster is a native perennial from tropical East Africa to Southern Arabia that boasts clusters (corymbs) of striking bright red star-shaped flowers and dark green elliptic leaves.It is an attractive ornamental suitable for growing in mass for flowerbeds, or container planting and as houseplant, and attracts butterflies!

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Butterfly-Attracting Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Shrub

Name

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

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Shrubby
Maximum Height	30 cm to 60 cm

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Tropical East Africa to Southern Arabia
Native Habitat	Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Perennial shrub
Foliage	Dark green, opposite leaves are narrowly ovate to lanceolate with entire leaf margin (8 - 14 cm long). Leaves are deeply veined and pubescent (hairy).
Flowers	Star-shaped, 5-petalled flowers are 1 - 1.5 cm wide and occur in large terminal clusters known as corymbs. This species is free-flowering.

Fruit	Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules (4 - 5 mm long).
Associated Fauna	This species is a butterfly nectar plant.
Cultivation	Easy to grow and should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil that is enriched with compost and organic matter to retain soil moisture. Allow the soil to dry slightly before re-watering. This cultivar blooms best when grown in full sun, but it also flowers in shade. This plant is heat tolerant. Feed plants every month with a balanced fertilizer at half-strength. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds on the soil surface and germination will occur in 5 - 12 days.
Etymology	The genus "Pentas" is derived from a Greek word that means 5 ("pente"). It may refer to the 5-petalled flowers that occur in this genus. The species epithet "lanceolata" refers to the lanceolate (lance-shaped) leaves.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border
Thematic Landscaping	Butterfly Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Butterfly-Attracting
Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Transplanting Tolerance	Moderate
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting
Planting Distance	50

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Raised / Sunken Veins

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Green
Young Flush Texture(s)	Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Acute

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody
Root Type	Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Red
Flower Texture(s)	Smooth

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Stellate / Star-shaped
Inflorescence Type	Corymb
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

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Master ID	1940
Species ID	3232
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.