Lagunaria

Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Lagunaria (named for its resemblance to Lagunaea, which is now considered a section of Hibiscus and commemorates a Spanish botanist, Andres de Laguna,1494 or 1499-1560, physician to Pope Julius III). Malvaceae. An Australian (or Norfolk Island) tree cult. outdoors in S. Calif. and indoors in Eu. It has large pale rose fls. like Hibiscus, 2 1/2 in. across, with 5 spreading lobes, a column of stamens and a 5-lobed shield-shaped stigma. It differs from Hibiscus in having only 3, 4 or 5 deciduous bracelets, while Hibiscus usually has 5 or more. Lvs. entire: fls. axillary; calyx 5-toothed; ovary 5- celled.—Species probably only 1. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Lagunaria patersonia {{{status}}} Fossil range: {{{fossil_range}}}
Leaves and fruit
Plant Info
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Scientific classification
Domain: {{{domain}}} Superkingdom: {{{superregnum}}} Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: {{{subregnum}}} Superdivision: {{{superdivisio}}} Superphylum: {{{superphylum}}} Division: Magnoliophyta Phylum: {{{phylum}}} Subdivision: {{{subdivisio}}} Subphylum: {{{subphylum}}} Infraphylum: {{{infraphylum}}} Microphylum: {{{microphylum}}} Nanophylum: {{{nanophylum}}} Superclass: {{{superclassis}}} Class: Magnoliopsida Sublass: {{{subclassis}}} Infraclass: {{{infraclassis}}} Superorder: {{{superordo}}} Order: Malvales Suborder: {{{subordo}}} Infraorder: {{{infraordo}}} Superfamily: {{{superfamilia}}} Family: Malvaceae Subfamily: {{{subfamilia}}} Supertribe: {{{supertribus}}} Tribe: {{{tribus}}} Subtribe: {{{subtribus}}} Genus: Lagunaria (DC.) Rchb. Subgenus: {{{subgenus}}} Section: {{{sectio}}} Series: {{{series}}} Species: L. patersonia Subspecies: {{{subspecies}}}
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Binomial name
Lagunaria patersonia (Andrews) G.Don.
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Lagunaria is a monotypic genus in the family Malvaceae. It is an Australian plant endemic to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and parts of coastal Queensland. It has been introduced to many parts of the world. The genus was named in honour of Andrés Laguna, a Spanish botanist and a physician to Pope Julius III.

It now consists of the single species Lagunaria patersonia, commonly known as the Pyramid Tree or Norfolk Island Hibiscus. It is howevever not a true Hibiscus, but does belong to the same plant family, Malvaceae. Its seed capsules are filled with irritating hairs giving rise to an another common name "Cow Itch Tree". The "cow" part however appears to be a misnomer.

References

• Malvaceae Info: The Lagunaria Page
• Photographs from Malvaceae Info

Gallery

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  Fruit of the Pyramid Tree
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  Flower of the Pyramid Tree