Mussaenda (356178969)

Description:

Summary[edit] Description: Common name: Mussaenda, Bedina (Hindi), Hanu-rei (Manipuri), Vellaiyilai வெள்ளையிலை (Tamil), Sada patta (Bengali) , Mithai Phool मिठाइ फुल (Konkani) Botanical name: Mussaenda erythrophylla - [ (mew-say-EN-duh) latinized form of Sinhalese vernacular name mussenda; (er-ith-roh-FIL-uh) meaning red-leaved ] Family: Rubiaceae (madder, bedstraw, or coffee family) Origin: Tropical Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands This shrub is sometimes referred to as "Bangkok Rose". It produces a showy display in shades of white, pink, salmon to red over an extended period. Unfortunately, the bushes are not so attractive in winter when they can loose their leaves. Therefore, they might be best in a mixed garden where other plants can provide interest when the Mussaenda is not in flower. The showy part of the Mussaenda flower is composed of enlarged sepals, either white or variously coloured. In a "typical" flower, the petals are the showy component while the sepals (which form the calyx) are usually green and relatively inconspicuous in the open flower. Sometimes the enlarged sepals of Mussaenda are erroneously referred to as "bracts". Presumably, the confusion arises due to a superficial resemblance to Poinsettia (which belongs to a different family). A bract is a leafy structure which is distinct from the flower proper. Courtesy: - Flowers of India - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Len Webb Ecological Images Collection - The Queensland Gardening Pages Note: Identification attempted; may not be accurate. Date: 7 January 2007, 14:39. Source: Mussaenda. Author: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India. Camera location19° 15′ 27.42″ N, 72° 58′ 22.16″ E View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 19.257617; 72.972822.