Status:
valid
Authors:
Hook.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1850
Citation Micro:
Bot. Mag. 76: t. 4534 (1850)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000281140
Common Names
- Portlandia platantha
- Platantha Portlandia
- Flat-flowered Portlandia
Description
Portlandia platantha (also called Platan-like Portlandia, among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree with white flowers and lanceolate leaves. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It grows in dry forests, scrub, and secondary vegetation.
Uses & Benefits
Portlandia platantha is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a traditional medicine for treating skin diseases and wounds.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Portlandia platantha are white or yellowish-white, with a yellow or orange center. The flowers are borne in umbels of up to 15 flowers. The seed is a small, round, black seed. The seedlings are slender and have a single pair of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Portlandia platantha can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring or summer in a well-drained, sandy soil. Cuttings should be taken in spring or summer and planted in a well-drained, sandy soil. Both methods should be kept moist and in a warm, sunny location.
Where to Find Portlandia platantha
Portlandia platantha is native to the Caribbean, from the Bahamas to Trinidad and Tobago.
Portlandia platantha FAQ
What is the scientific name of Portlandia platantha?
Portlandia platantha
What is the common name of Portlandia platantha?
Platantha
What is the natural habitat of Portlandia platantha?
Dry forests and thickets in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Species in the Portlandia genus
Species in the Rubiaceae family
Acranthera abbreviata,
Acranthera anamallica,
Acranthera athroophlebia,
Acranthera atropella,
Acranthera aurantiaca,
Acranthera axilliflora,
Acranthera bullata,
Acranthera capitata,
Acranthera ceylanica,
Acranthera didymocarpa,
Acranthera endertii,
Acranthera frutescens,
Acranthera grandiflora,
Acranthera hallieri,
Acranthera hirtostipula,
Acranthera involucrata,
Acranthera johannis-winkleri,
Acranthera lanceolata,
Acranthera longipes,
Acranthera longipetiolata,
Acranthera maculata,
Acranthera megaphylla,
Acranthera monantha,
Acranthera nieuwenhuisii,
Acranthera ophiorhizoides,
Acranthera parviflora,
Acranthera philippensis,
Acranthera ruttenii,
Acranthera salmonea,
Acranthera siamensis,
Acranthera siliquosa,
Acranthera simalurensis,
Acranthera sinensis,
Acranthera strigosa,
Acranthera tomentosa,
Acranthera variegata,
Acranthera velutinervia,
Acranthera yatesii,
Acranthera philippinensis,
Acranthera burmanica,
Acranthera virescens,
Acranthera hoangii,
Acranthera collina,
Acrobotrys discolor,
Acrosynanthus jamaicensis,
Acrosynanthus latifolius,
Acrosynanthus minor,
Acrosynanthus ovatus,
Acrosynanthus parvifolius,
Acrosynanthus revolutus,