TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

Pavetta sp., Christmas bush

Pavetta sp.

Christmas bush
Family: Rubiaceae
Origin: South Africa
USDA Zone: 9-12?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunModerate waterWhite, off-white flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsFragrant plant

There are 22 species of Pavetta in South Africa. Pavetta is a large genus found in warm areas of Africa, Asia and Australia. All have bacterial nodules on the leaves - they look like black dots. The bacteria in these nodules fix nitrogen from the air in the same way that bacteria in nodules on the roots of legumes fix it from the soil. Other species to be found in cultivation include P.lanceolata, P.cooperi and P. revoluta.



Pavetta sp., Christmas bush. Pavetta revoluta
Pavetta revoluta


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/pavetta_sp.htm