Arachnothryx leucophylla (Bush Pentas, Panama Rose, Rondeletia)
Botanical Information
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Genus | Arachnothryx |
| Species | leucophylla |
| Synonyms | Rondeletia leucophylla Kunth (1820); Hedyotis leucophylla (Kunth) Spreng. (1824); Rondeletia elongata Bartl. ex DC. (1830); Bouvardia discolor Hook. & Arn. (1840); Arachnothryx elongata (Bartl. ex DC.) Planch. (1849); Rondeletia dubia Hemsl. (1879) |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Mexico to Panama. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 1.7 to above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 35 to above 40 |
| Height | 1 to 6 m |
| Spread | 1.5 m to 6 m |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Woody evergreen shrub with a round shape, typically growing up to 1 - 3 m tall in cultivation but can reach 6 m in the wild. |
| ID Characteristic | Avoid pruning frequently, because flowers are produced from the new growth. |
| Shape | Rounded. |
| Landscape | Planted as an ornamental shrub in parks and gardens, wildflower gardens, and butterfly gardens. |
| Propagation | By seed, semi-woody cutting, and air layering. |
| Cultivation | Grow in a range of soil types, in partial shade or full sun. |
| Pests | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Woody, dark brown with the young stem covered in soft short hairs. |
| Leaf Description | The upper leaf surface is dark green and hairless, while the lower side is whitish covered in short, white hairs. A forked flap of tissue known as a stipule occurs between the pair of leaves found at each point along the stem. |
| Flower Description | Tubular with 4 bright pink lobes arranged in the shape of a cross (2 cm long, 1 cm wide). Flowers are arranged in rounded clusters known as cymose inflorescences (5 cm wide). They are most fragrant after sunset. |
| Fruit Description | Small, dry and indehiscent, contains many seeds. They are whitish in colour and covered in soft hairs. |
Photographs
Arachnothryx leucophylla, form, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Arachnothryx leucophylla, leaf, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Arachnothryx leucophylla, flower, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.