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Portlandia grandiflora

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Portlandia grandiflora

Family Name: Rubiaceae
Common Name: Bell Flower, White Horse Flower

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Cuba, Jamaica and Mexico
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Shrubs or small trees, slow growing, reaching between 1.5 - 4.5 m.
Foliage Dark green leaves, ovate in shape, measuring about 10 - 16 cm long and 5 - 10 cm wide, petioles flattened.
Stems Stems subterete with somewhat swollen nodes.
Flowers Large showy white flowers, bell-shaped, measuring about 15 cm long, fragrant.
Fruit Fruit is an obovoid capsule, measuring about 2.5 cm wide.
Habitat Grows on limestone.
Etymology Genus Portlandia is named after Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (1715 - 1785), who was a former Duchess of Portland. Species grandiflora means with large flowers.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers)
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Grouping Solitary
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Texture(s) Leathery
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Numerous (>20)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1941
Species ID 3233
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: 22 February 2022.
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