Posoqueria latifolia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Posoqueria latifolia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| On Bastimentos Island, Panama | |
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Posoqueria |
| Species: | P. latifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Posoqueria latifolia (Rudge) Schult. | |
| Subspecies | |
|
See here | |
 | |
It is native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America[2] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Posoqueria latifolia, also known as Needle Flower Tree,[3][4] is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae[5] native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America.[2] Its most remarkable feature is the floral tube of the white flower, which is only 2 or 3 mm wide, but up to 17 cm (6.7 in) long.[6] It is pollinated by a sphinx moth.
Vegetative characteristics
Posoqueria latifolia is a 3–25 m tall shrub or tree[5] with smooth, gray bark[7] and numerous branches.[8]
Generative characteristics
The terminal inflorescence bears pedicellate, tubular,[9] elongate, sphingophilous,[10] nectariferous,[11] fragrant,[8] conspicuous, white flowers.[7] The flower has five petals.[12] The yellow fruit[3][8] bears numerous seeds.[8]
Cytology
The chromosome count is 2n = 32, 34, or 36.[13]
Taxonomy
It was first described as Solena latifolia Rudge by Edward Rudge in 1805.[9][14] It was transferred to the genus Posoqueria Aubl. as Posoqueria latifolia (Rudge) Schult. by Josef August Schultes in 1819.[2][15] Sometimes Josef August Schultes and Johann Jacob Roemer are credited with the transfer.[16][17]
Etymology
The specific epithet latifolia means broad-leaved.[11][12][18]
Subspecies
It has two subspecies:[2]
- Posoqueria latifolia subsp. gracilis (Rudge) Steyerm.
- Posoqueria latifolia subsp. latifolia
Distribution and habitat
Ecology
Conservation
The IUCN conservation status is Least Concern (LC).[1]