Posoqueria latifolia
Posoqueria latifolia, also known as Needle Flower Tree, is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America. Its most remarkable feature is the floral tube of the white flower, which is only 2 or 3 mm wide, but up to long. It is pollinated by a sphinx moth.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Posoqueria latifolia is a 3–25 m tall shrub or tree with smooth, gray bark and numerous branches.Generative characteristics
The terminal inflorescence bears pedicellate, tubular, elongate, sphingophilous, nectariferous, fragrant, conspicuous, white flowers. The flower has five petals. The yellow fruit bears numerous seeds.Cytology
The chromosome count is 2n = 32, 34, or 36.Taxonomy
It was first described as Solena latifolia by Edward Rudge in 1805. It was transferred to the genus Posoqueria as Posoqueria latifolia by Josef August Schultes in 1819. Sometimes Josef August Schultes and Johann Jacob Roemer are credited with the transfer.Etymology
The specific epithet latifolia means broad-leaved.Subspecies
It has two subspecies:- Posoqueria latifolia subsp. gracilis
- Posoqueria latifolia subsp. ''latifolia''