Botanical family: Ochnaceae

Ochna integerrima, Ochna thomasiana

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The most celebrated flower in Vietnam, Ochna integerrima blooms profusely on the occasion of 'Tet', the Vietnamese New Year. A must for exotic plant collection, this is a rather slow growing, medium size shrub that can be trained into miniature tree. In winter the plant is covered with pretty bright yellow flowers, believed to bring good luck and prosperity. They are followed by cute shiny black berries on bright red sepals that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse. The plant is easy to grow and relatively cold hardy (to light freeze).

O. integerrima differs by having wider leaves with bristle-bearing margins rather than sharp teeth of narrow-leaved O. serrulata.

Hybrid variety Ochna Alba (Vietnamese name 'Bach Mai' meaning literally 'White Ochna') is very rare and does not produce seeds.

Read more about this plant.

Ochna serrulata, Ochna multiflora, Ochna atropurpurea

This plant has beautiful fragrant yellow flowers in spring) and very attractive fruits. These are shiny black and berry-like, suspended below bright-red sepals in a way that resembles the face of Mickey Mouse, hence the common name Mickey Mouse bush. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The ripe fruits are eaten by birds. Leaves with sharp teeth are long and narrow, unlike another variety, Ochna integerrima, which leaves are more oval and smooth.

Ochna sp.

Species and varieties:

Ochna integerrima

Ochna kirkii

Ochna mossambicensis

(Birds Eye Bush, Mozambique)

Ochna serrulata

Ouratea theophrasta, Ouratea gigantophylla

Ouratea theophrasta is used as an ornamental plant for its attractive flowers and can be used in rock gardens, borders, and as a ground cover.