Sparrmannia africana
| African hemp | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Tiliaceae |
| Genus: | Sparrmannia |
| Species: | S. africana |
| Binomial name | |
| Sparrmannia africana L.f. | |
Sparrmannia africana (African hemp, African linden) is a species of flowering plant in the Tiliaceae family, native to open woodland in Africa, South Africa and Madagascar. It is one of up to seven species in the genus Sparrmannia. The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group places this genus within the Malvaceae family.
Growing to 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall by 2–4 m (7–13 ft) broad, S. africana is an evergreen shrub or small tree with large pale green leaves 21 cm (8 in) long, and clusters of white flowers with red and yellow stamens. It is not closely related to the true hemp, cannabis.[1]
With a minimum temperature of 7 °C (45 °F), S. africana is grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
The spelling Sparmannia is listed as a synonym.[3]
See also
- List of Southern African indigenous trees
References
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Sparrmannia africana". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "GRIN Taxonomy for plants - Sparmannia". USDA Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- Bibliography
- Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
External links
- Sparmannia africana photo