Oxyanthus tubiflorus, commonly called the needle flower, is a shrub in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to Sierra Leone, Guinea and probably neighboring Liberia.[1] It is noteworthy for producing one of the skinniest flowers of any land (non-aquatic) plant, up to seven inches (17 centimeters) in length,[2] while only 1/16th inch (1.5 millimeters) in width; a length to width ratio of 112 fold. The leaves are opposite and 3 to seven inches (7 to 17 centimeters) long by 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) wide. It is pollinated by a species of sphinx moth.

Oxyanthus tubiflorus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Oxyanthus
Species:
O. tubiflorus
Binomial name
Oxyanthus tubiflorus
Synonyms
  • Gardenia tubiflora Andrews
  • Oxyanthus speciosus W.T.Aiton

References

edit
  1. ^ "Oxyanthus tubiflorus (Andrews) DC". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. ^ Bailey, Liberty Hyde, ed. (1935). Cyclopedia of Horticulture. New York: MacMillan and Co. p. Vol. 2 p. 2419.