An exotic touch!

Amarjeet Singh Batth

When Mussaenda philippica is in full bloom you cannot miss the colours in the garden. It’s the large showy ‘petals’ which are in fact enlarged floral sepals that catches ones attention. It is locally called as Buddah’s Lamp, Bangkok Roses, Dona Aurora and belongs to family Rubiaceae which remains in bloom from March to June. Mussaenda is cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.

Many species of Mussaenda are cultivated because of their resilience and long blooming period. It has over thirteen thousand species but M. philippica is apparently the most commonly cultivated species and has numerous cultivar forms and is considered the parent of almost all hybrids.

These hybrids are known for their splendid and iridescent, enlarged calyx lobes. Mussaenda incana (Dwarf) is native to India and Malaysia. It has bright yellow flowers and creamy yellow sepals and is planted as a ground cover. It is a Perennial deciduous medium-sized shrub. The leaves are simple, opposite, decussate, elliptic-lanceolate with entire margin and acute apex. Calyx lobes are expanded into white or pink multiple floral sepals, usually 5 per flower.

Things to remember

• Where to plant: It is a favourite of many landscapers and garden lovers. In home garden, it can be planted in pairs or as a single specimen. In public gardens, parks, it is placed in groups while planted in rows along roadsides and highways. Dona Aurora loves sunlight and can tolerate partial shade. It flourishes only in rich loamy and well drained soil. In ground it grows to about 6-8 feet while in pots it grows to nearly 1-3 feet tall.
• When to plant: This is the most appropriate time to plant Mussaenda. Dig small pits and mix DAP and well rotten farm yard manure. Water it and wait for a week’s time for the soil to settle. Now make a hole double the size of the plant’s root ball. Gently place the plant and press it firmly, water it immediately. Maintain moisture level for couple of weeks.
• Care and Upkeep: Mussaenda is also a low maintenance plant which requires pruning for maintainance of its bushy structure alomost immediately after flowering. During the winter, the foliage may or may not drop during its dormancy. Maintain moisture but be careful of overwatering as will lead to root diseases. It becomes deficient in nutrients and is shown by yellowing of leaves and defoliation. It is not salt tolerant and relatively pest and disease free although scale, mealy bugs and mites are sometimes a problem. Annual dose of FYM during July-Aug and Dec-Jan is highly recommended.
• Importance: Native to the Philippines, it was first collected in 1915 by Calixto Mabesa on Mt Makiling. Later it was propagated and dedicated to the wife of the Philippines President Aurora Quezon and was given the name in her honour. In Nigeria, this species is used to treat dysentery, as an antidote for snakebites, infections of chest and lungs and stomach ache.

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