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Nashia inaguensis Millsp.
| Family Name: | Verbenaceae |
| Synonyms: | Lippia inaguensis (Millsp.) Urb. |
| Common Name: | Moujean Tea, Bahamas Berry |
Moujean Tea (Nashia inaguensis) is an evergreen shrub that generally grows to about 3 m tall, featuring glossy fragrant leaves of citrus and pineapple when crushed. The shrub produces mildly-scented, small white flowers and orange bead-like fruit. This shrub can be grown in containers or as border plant in gardens for its dense growth habit.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bahamas, Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An evergreen shrub with spreading branches. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are simple, oppositely pairs, having short petioles of 0 - 1 mm long. Leaf blade is ovate to lanceolate, measuring 6 - 8 mm x 2 -3 mm, has a rounded base and pointed tip which bend downwards. The glossy green leaves release a scent of citrus and pineapple scent when crushed. |
| Stems | Stem is brown, and covered in small hairs. |
| Flowers | Flowers are small, mostly in 2 pairs per cluster, located in the axil of twigs and branches. The flower bracts are broadly obovate or orbicular, hairy on the outside. The flower has 4 petals about 3 mm long fused together, with white limb and yellowish to greenish tube, the lobes are densely hairy. The flower is mildly sweet scented. |
| Fruit | Fruit is an orange drupe, globular, about 4 mm in diameter. |
| Habitat | It is found growing in scrubland in its native habitat. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The fresh and dried leaves are used to make flavoured tea. The tea is described as having a citrusy, vanilla and pineapple scent. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This shrub to a small tree can be planted in the parks and gardens for its fragrant flowers and leaves. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Foliage, Flowers) |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai, General, Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Spiny / Bristly / Stinging |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Spiny |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Drupe |
References
| References | Greuter, W. & Rodriquez, R.R. (2016). Revision of the Caribbean endemics currently placed in Nashia (Verbenaceae). Willdenowia 46(1),5-22. http://doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46101 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34496 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8909 |
| 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. |