Pisonia umbellifera (Bird-lime Tree)

Botanical name: Pisonia umbellifera

Common names: Bird-lime Tree, Bird Catcher Tree

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Origin: Andaman Islands

Pisonia umbellifera 'Variegata' (Map Plant) - It resembles a compact variegated rubber tree. It grows as a small tree (up to 4 meters) and produces fresh green leaves with blotches of cream color. Blooms, which appear in early summer, are open clusters of green flowers tinged with pink. The sticky fruits that follow are responsible for another common name, Bird Catcher Tree, as insects and small birds can get stuck to these fruit.

Pisonia umbellifera 'Variegata' rarely exceeds a height of 3-4 feet when grown in a pot. Flowers are not produced on plants grown indoors.

Similar plants: Pisonia umbellifera (Bird-lime Tree)

• Pisonia alba (Lettuce tree)