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Brunfelsia lactea Krug & Urb
| Family Name: | Solanaceae |
| Common Name: | Lady of the night, Princess of the night |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub to small tree, reaching up to about 3 - 7 m. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leathery dark green leaves, elliptic to oval, sometime obovate, measuring 5 - 15 cm by 2.5 - 6.5 cm, leaf stalk about 5 - 15 mm long. |
| Stems | Stem diameter measuring about 10 cm. Bark is light brown and slightly furrowed. |
| Flowers | White to pale yellow fragrant flowers, solitary at the terminus of the twigs, corolla trumpet-shaped measuring 5 - 7 cm long and 5 - 6 cm across. |
| Fruit | Purple to light brown fleshy fruits measuring 2 - 2.5 cm in diameter and containing many small brown, elliptic seeds. |
| Etymology | Brunfelsia is named after a 16th century German monk, Otto Brunfels, who was referred to as the "Father of Botany" because of his significant contribution to botany. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Fragrant (Flowers) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Toxic Upon Ingestion |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32136 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6542 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
