Wrightia dubia (Starfish Flower)

Wrightia dubia is a tropical evergreen shrub or small tree in the Apocynaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. It develops a branching crown with opposite, simple green leaves and produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers. The five-petaled flowers are white to creamy white, often becoming yellowish with age, and have the elegant pinwheel-like form characteristic of many members of the family. After flowering, paired slender follicles may develop, eventually splitting to release seeds equipped with silky hairs for wind dispersal. Its compact growth, attractive foliage, and delicate flowers make it suitable for tropical gardens and informal landscape plantings.

Wrightia dubia grows best in warm conditions with bright light to full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Regular moisture supports active growth, but established plants should not remain in waterlogged ground. Light pruning can be used to maintain a denser, more compact shape. It is frost sensitive and is best suited to tropical and warm subtropical climates, approximately USDA Zones 10-11. In cooler regions it can be grown in a container and protected from low temperatures.