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Cornutia grandifolia

Scientific Name: Cornutia grandifolia

Family: Verbenaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cornutia grandifolia: A Botanical Profile

Cornutia grandifolia, commonly known as Tropical Lilac, African Lilac, or Jamaican Lilac, is a captivating shrub appreciated for its fragrant foliage and showy flowers.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has fragrant velvety fuzzy leaves.
  • Leaf cutter ants are repelled by compounds found within this plant, so it is suggested that other bugs are similarly repelled.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant has fragrant velvety fuzzy leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cornutia grandifolia (Schltdl. & Cham.) Schauer
  • Family: Lamiaceae / Labiatae (formerly Verbenaceae)
  • Synonyms:
    • Cornutia pyramidata L.
    • Hosta grandiflora
    • Hosta grandifolia
  • Other Forms:
    • Cornutia grandifolia var. intermedia
    • Cornutia grandifolia var. purpusii
    • Cornutia grandifolia f. quadrangularis

Distribution and Habitat

Native to the cloud forests of Costa Rica, Cornutia grandifolia has also been found in Panama. It has been reported as naturalized (non-native) in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • This evergreen shrub or small tree typically grows to a height of 5-10 feet (approximately 1.5 to 3 meters).
  • It features aromatic, velvety leaves.
  • It produces tall stalks with multiple lavender-blue or intensely purple flowers.
  • The flowers are borne in long spikes at the ends of branches.
  • The corolla displays bilateral symmetry.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite being called Tropical Lilac, this plant reportedly does not smell like lilac.

Genetic and Cytological Information

  • Specimens with Sequences: 15
  • Specimens with Barcodes: 13

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Cornutia grandifolia attracts butterflies.
  • It produces compounds that repel leafcutter ants and other bugs.

Resources and Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • The Plant List
  • IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
  • Australian Plant Name Index
  • NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Flora of Panama
  • Tropicos
  • Discover Life
  • Atlas of Florida Plants
  • ResearchGate