Luculia gratissima is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is an ornamental plant that is found from the central Himalayas to northern Indo-China.[1]

Luculia gratissima
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Luculia
Species:
L. gratissima
Binomial name
Luculia gratissima
Synonyms
  • Cinchona gratissima Wall.
  • Mussaenda luculia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don

The Latin specific epithet gratissima means "most pleasing" or "most agreeable".[2]

It is a large shrub or even a small tree growing to 4 m (13 ft) tall by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) broad, with pointed ribbed leaves, and clustered fragrant pale pink flowers in autumn and winter. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), it requires cultivation under glass in temperate zones. However, it may be placed outside in a sheltered, sunny spot during the summer months. It is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Luculia in the World Checklist of Rubiaceae". Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  2. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  3. ^ "Luculia gratissima". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
edit