Mussaenda frondosa
| Mussaenda frondosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Mussaenda |
| Species: | M. frondosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Mussaenda frondosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Mussaenda frondosa, commonly known as the wild mussaenda or dhobi tree, is a plant of family Rubiaceae. It is a shrub that grows to about 1.5–2 m (4 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall. Like most other Mussaenda species, they have a bract beneath their flowers, which in this species is white in colour.[2]
Description
[edit]The shrub may also grow as a scandent climber. The flowers are clusters of orange-yellow tubular flowers with one of their five sepals enlarged into a white petal-like form, set among pale green, oval leaves; berries follow the bloom. The erect, branching stem has a shrubby crown.
Distribution
[edit]Mussaenda frondosa is native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is found on Nilgiri slopes to elevations of 6,000 ft (1,800 m).[3] Justus Carl Hasskarl recorded its presence in recently cleared land in Java.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ Jayaweera, Don M. A. (1963). "The Rubiaceous Genus Mussaenda: The Morphology of the Asiatic Species". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 44 (1): 111–126. ISSN 0004-2625. JSTOR 43781456.
- ^ Fyson, P.F. (1920). The flora of the Nilgiri and Pulney Hill-tops. Vol. 3. Madras (Chennai): Government Press. p. 64.
- ^ Filet, G.J. (1855). De Planten in den Botanischen Tuin bij het Groot Militair Hospitaal te Weltevreden (in Dutch). Batavia (Jakarta): Lange & Co. p. 60.