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Mussaenda
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Mussaenda

Mussaenda erythrophylla

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameMussaenda
DescriptionTropical shrub famous for large, colorful leaf-like bracts in red, pink, white, yellow, or orange that surround small star-shaped flowers. Bracts often mistaken for petals, lasting for weeks. Actual flowers are tiny, yellow or orange, star-shaped. Blooms year-round in warm climates, creating spectacular displays.
FamilyRubiaceae
GenusMussaenda
TribeMussaendeae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Bracteate (showy bracts), radially symmetrical, bisexual, 5 fused sepals (one enlarged as bract), 5 fused petals forming tube, 5 stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name from Sinhalese 'Mussenda.' White variety called 'Dhobi Tree' (bracts resemble laundry). 'Buddha's Lamp' for yellow flowers with white bracts. About 200 Mussaenda species
  • Showy bracts 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, leaf-like, petal-like. Colors: red, pink, white, yellow, orange, cream. True flowers tiny, star-shaped, 0.5 inch, yellow/orange. Blooms year-round in tropics
  • Evergreen shrub or small climber. Opposite leaves, oval, dark green. Bracts modified sepals. Long-lasting display (weeks to months). Can be pruned as hedge or grown as specimen
  • Grows 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 m) tall, can reach 20 feet. Spread 4-8 feet. Lifespan 10+ years. Propagated from cuttings or seeds. Fast-growing in ideal conditions
  • Native to tropical Africa and Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines). Found in forests, forest edges. Thrives in warm, humid tropical and subtropical regions
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (5-6 hours sun). Needs warm temperatures, high humidity. Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Regular watering. Hardy zones 10-12. Frost-sensitive
  • Popular ornamental in tropics. Used as hedge, specimen, or container plant. Attracts butterflies and bees. Low maintenance once established. Prune to shape and encourage branching
  • Long-lasting cut flowers. Bracts remain colorful for weeks. Used in tropical landscaping and gardens. Some species used in traditional medicine. Symbolizes beauty and elegance

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificMussaenda erythrophylla
English (Alternate)Ashanti Blood, Flag Bush, Buddha's Lamp, Dhobi Tree, Tropical Dogwood, Bangkok Rose, Queen Sirikit
Hindiबेदिना (Bedina), लाल पत्ती (Lal Patti)
Tamilவெள்ளையிலை (Vellaiyilai), வெள்ளிமடந்தை (Velli-matantai)
Teluguముస్సెండా (Mussenda), ఎర్ర ఆకు (Erra Aaku)
Malayalamവെള്ളില (Vellila), ചുവന്ന ഇല (Chuvanna Ila)
Kannadaಬೆಳ್ಳೋತಿ (Belloti), ಬಿಲ್ಲೋಟ (Billota)
Sanskritश्रीवाटी (Shrivati), श्रीपर्णः (Shriparnah)
Bengaliনাগবল্লী (Nagaballi), লাল পাতা (Lal Pata)
FrenchSang des achantis, Mussaenda
RussianМуссаенда (Mussaenda), Кровь ашанти (Krov ashanti)
SpanishFlor de trapo, Bandera roja
GermanRote Fahnen-Busch, Mussaenda

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.