Norfolk Caribbean
| Norfolk Caribbean | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norfolk Caribbean ( Lagunaria patersonia ) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Lagunaria | ||||||||||||
| Reichb. | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Lagunaria patersonia | ||||||||||||
| ( Andrews ) G.Don |
The Norfolk Island ( Lagunaria patersonia , Syn .: Hibiscus patersonius Andrews, Laguna squamea , Solandra squamea ) is the only species of the genus Lagunaria and is classified in the subfamily of the wool tree family (Bombacoideae) within the family of the mallow family (Malvaceae).
description
The Norfolk Caribbean grows mostly pyramidal (hence one of the English trivial names "Pyramid tree") as an evergreen , small tree and can reach heights of 10 to 15 meters. The alternate, stalked leaves are ovate. They are olive-green on top and gray-green on the underside due to hairiness. The leaf blade is 4 to 12 long and 2.5 to 5 cm wide. The petiole is 1 to 3 cm long.
The flowers sit individually, rarely in pairs, on short (1 to 2 cm long), thick stalks in the leaf axils. The hermaphrodite, five-fold flowers have a diameter of about 4 to 8 centimeters. The five hairy sepals are bell-shaped and only a third as long as the petals. The five large petals are waxy, pale pink to mauve and 3 to 4.5 cm long. The many stamens are gold to orange in color. There are five carpels . The style is white to creamy white; it is divided into five lobes at the top. The stamens form a tubular columna around the style.
Five-fold capsule fruits are formed that are 2 to 4 cm long and very hairy. They are filled with hair inside and inside there are smooth and bean-shaped seeds. These hairs in the fruits itch on the skin (hence one of the common English names "Cow Itch Tree").
distribution
The Norfolk Caribbean is native to Australia ; the occurrences are limited to the Norfolk Island , the eastern Queensland and the Lord Howe Island .
As an ornamental plant, this plant species and its varieties are practically distributed worldwide in suitable climatic zones.
Systematics
The species was first described in 1803 by Henry Charles Andrews under the name Hibiscus patersonius . George Don classified them in the genus Lagunaria in 1831 , giving them the name that is accepted today. The specific epithet honors the British explorer William Paterson (1755–1810).
Two subspecies are distinguished within the species:
- Lagunaria patersonia subsp. bracteata (Benth.) PSGreen: Occurring in Queensland.
- Lagunaria patersonia (Andrews) G. Don subsp. patersonia : Occurrence on Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.
Cultivated forms
- 'Royal Purple': With purple flowers.
swell
- Description at malvaceae.info. (English)
- Brief description in the Flora of South Australia. (English)
Web links
- Brief description at trees.stanford.edu (English)
- Characteristics. (English)
- Entry in GRIN Taxonomy for Plants. (English)
Single references
- ↑ Bot. Repos. 4: t. 286. 1803 “patersonius”; see entry at GRIN Taxonomy for Plants .