Thursday, February 28, 2013

Dona Aurora/Mussaenda Philippica

The Mussaendas are ornamental shrubs with one or more of the sepals or calyx lobes developing unusually into large, petaloid structures. The genus Mussaenda belongs to the family Rubiaceae and includes some 200 species found in Africa, Madagascar, India, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Polynesia and Australia. In the Philippines, it is represented by about 20 species. A few of these are M. philippica A. Rich, M. benguetensis Elmer, M. palawanensis Merr., M. pinatubensis Elmer and M. magallanensis Elmer. Most of the locally grown Mussaendas are colorful hybrids and their development began with the discovery of M. philippica var aurorae Sulit, popularly known as ‘Doña Aurora.’  Source

Doña Aurora was first found in 1915 in the vicinity of Mount Makiling as a spontaneous mutant of the species Mussaenda philippica.  Doña Aurora is named after the wife of the former president Manuel Quezon, and has been utilized as one of the parents in the development of the Mussaenda hybrids.  

It is a shrub or small tree, 3 to 5 meters high.  Leaves are opposite, broad-ovate, with short-pointed tips, dark green and glossy.  Calyx lobes are expanded into white or greenish-white, large, leaf-like, oval bracts; the green blade expanded with short-acute or blunt tip.  Flowers are small, tubelike, expanded into 5, ovate lobes, yellowish orange in color.


 


7 comments:

Hazel said...

Aurora got the flower. Imelda got the papaya ;p

Jama said...

These plants are commonly grown here in parks and along the roads. They are so easy to grown and require minimal maintenance.

Ekaterina Trayt said...

Such an interesting flower!

NatureFootstep said...

I think I have seen this one but am not sure. It is a lovely flower with that spot of color in it.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Understated blooms, but the more you look the prettier they are!

Unknown said...

In Indonesia, they called it Nusa Indah... beautiful shot!

alp said...

Genial, muy bonita,,,un abrazo desde Murcia