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Duranta erecta 'Alba'
| Family Name: | Verbenaceae |
| Synonyms: | Duranta repens var. alba |
| Common Name: | White Sky Flower, Golden Dew Drop, Pigeon Berry |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 2 m to 3 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large, evergreen shrub with multiple stems and hanging branches. It has a sprawling growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are ovate with entire leaf margin (2.5 - 7.5 cm long). |
| Stems | The stems have spines. |
| Flowers | Tubular, 5-lobed flowers are white with a greenish yellow throat (1.3 cm wide). Petals are approximately round to obovate with a frilly edge. Flowers are arranged in terminal or lateral clusters known as racemes (15 cm long). This species is free-flowering. |
| Fruit | Fruits are orange, round to slightly elongated berries (1.3 cm wide). They occur in large, hanging clusters. The berries are toxic to humans, dogs and cats. |
| Cultivation | This low maintenance cultivar may be planted in acidic soil (pH = 5.5 - 6.5) with 1.2 - 1.8 m of space between plants. It can also be grown in large containers. Although it grows best in full sun, it is tolerant of semi-shade. Allow the soil to dry before re-watering. This species is occasionally attacked by caterpillars, scale insects and nematodes. To propagate by stem cuttings, take 13 - 20 cm cuttings and simply place them in soil. Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. |
| Etymology | The genus Duranta was named after Castore Durantes, a 16th century Italian botanist and physician. The specific epithet erecta is Latin for upright and refers to its growth habit. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
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Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly Food Plant (Flower Nectar) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Tip) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 682 |
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| Species ID | 1977 |
| 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. |
