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Pinwheelflower

Tabernaemontana is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. It has a pan-tropical distribution, found in Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America, and a wide assortment of oceanic islands. These plants are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–15 m tall. The leaves are opposite, 3–25 cm long, with milky sap; hence it is one of the diverse plant genera commonly called "milkwood". The flowers are fragrant, white, 1–5 cm in diameter.

The cultivar T. divaricata cv. 'Plena', with doubled-petaled flowers, is a popular houseplant. The plant generally grows to a height of 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) and is dichotomously branched. The large shiny leaves are deep green and about 6 inches (15 cm) in length and 2 inches (5.1 cm) in width. The waxy blossoms are found in small clusters on the stem tips. The (single) flowers have the characteristic 'pinwheel' shape also seen in other genera in the family Apocynaceae such as Vinca and Nerium. Both single and double-flowered forms are cultivated, the flowers of both forms being white. The plant blooms in spring but flowers appear sporadically all year. The flowers of the single form are unscented but the double-flowered form has a pleasing fragrance.

  • Category Indoor plants
  • Families Apocynaceae
  • Genus Tabernamontana
  • Species divaricata
  • Geographical Area of Origin South-East Asia / Asia, Indian subcontinent
  • Climatic Zones Tropical USDA 11
  • Habit Shrub-climber
  • Leaves Evergreen
  • Colore Foglie Verde
  • Flowering Period October / April / May / June / July / August / September
  • Flower Simple flower
  • Colore Fiori Bianco
  • Favorite soil Neutral / Middle-Dough / Medium soil
  • Water needs Medium
  • Light Exposure Medium shade / Half shade / Full light / Full sun
  • Form Espalier / Pyramid / Tree
  • Colore Frutti Marrone
  • Parfumed yes
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