Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Environmental Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- References
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of page| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); habit, grown as an ornamental. Bangalore, (Bengaluru), Karnataka, India. November 2017. | ©Vengolis/via wikipedia - CC BY-SA 3.0 | |
| Habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); habit, grown as an ornamental. Bangalore, (Bengaluru), Karnataka, India. November 2017. | ©Vengolis/via wikipedia - CC BY-SA 3.0 | |
| Habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); habit, grown as an ornamental. Bangalore, (Bengaluru), Karnataka, India. November 2017. | ©Vengolis/via wikipedia - CC BY-SA 3.0 | |
| Habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); habit. Mira-Bhayandar, Maharashtra, India. November 2006. | ©Dinesh Valke/via flickr - CC BY-SA 2.0 | |
| Flowering habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); flowering habit. Mira-Bhayandar, Maharashtra, India. November 2006. | ©Dinesh Valke/via flickr - CC BY-SA 2.0 | |
| Flowering habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); flowering habit, white variety. Thane, Maharashtra, India. November 2007. | ©Dinesh Valke/via flickr - CC BY-SA 2.0 | |
| Flowering habit | Mussaenda philippica (Queen of Philippines); flowering habit, white variety. Malaysia. November 2011. | ©Tu7uh (Hasan Sabran)/via wikipedia - CC BY 3.0 |
Identity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Mussaenda philippica A. Rich.
Preferred Common Name
- Queen of Philippines
International Common Names
- English: Bangkok rose; Buddha's lamp; Philippine mussaenda; Queen Sirikit
Local Common Names
- Micronesia: amerok; batsch; petch
- Palau: cherecheroi; ercherio; ereroi
- Philippines: Doña Aurora
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageMussaenda philippica is a large shrub or small tree that is native to the Philippines and frequently cultivated as an ornamental in tropical regions. It can be found growing in parks, botanical gardens, private and public gardens and along roadsides and highways. Although plants in cultivation usually do not produce fruits, they can spread vegetatively by stem fragments and cuttings. M. philippica is a species of environmental concern because it can grow up to 8 m tall and has a wide spreading crown that may shade out other vegetation including native plant species.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Genus: Mussaenda
- Species: Mussaenda philippica
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe family Rubiaceae comprises 611 genera and about 13,150 species distributed worldwide, but largely tropical. This family is especially diverse in Madagascar and the Andes (Davis et al., 2009; Stevens, 2017). Mussaenda is a tropical Old World genus consisting of about 185-200 species. Many species of Mussaenda are cultivated in gardens all over the world because of their resilience and long blooming period throughout almost the entire year. M. philippica is apparently the most commonly cultivated species and has numerous cultivar forms (Puff, 2007). More than 20 Mussaenda hybrids have been derived from crossing M. philippica with the African M. erythrophylla. These hybrids are known for their splendid and iridescent, enlarged calyx lobes (Alejandro et al., 2016). In the last taxonomic revision of the Philippine Mussaenda, three subspecific taxa for the species M. philippica are recognised (Alejandro et al., 2016): Mussaenda philippica var. aurorae, Mussaenda philippica var. philippica and Mussaenda philippica var. pubescens.
Description
Top of pageThe following description is based on Fosberg et al. (1993). Large shrub or small tree, glabrous to minutely puberulent; leaves ovate-elliptic to elliptic, to 17 × 6 cm, strongly acuminate, base contracted to a slender petiole 1-1.5 cm long, veins 9 to 12 on a side; stipules sericeous, triangular, with a deeply bifid acumen; panicle about 4 times trichotomous, densely sericeous to soft-pubescent, bracts linear, bracteoles irregularly and inequally trifid, flowers apparently dioecious; calyx caducous, lobed almost to base, principal lobes 5, outer one greatly enlarged and showy on a few flowers, calyx usually somewhat less sericeous than cyme and hypanthium, small extra subulate lobes accompanying the enlarged leaf-like lobe, which is up to 9 cm long, broadly ovate, acuminate, somewhat cordate or rounded or obtuse at base, stipitate (“petiolate”), white, membranous, thinly sericeous, veins prominent; corolla 2-3 cm long, densely but shortly pubescent without, limb ovoid in bud, acuminate, tips of lobes separate, lobes ovate acuminate, bright yellow and densely puberulent within, centre of staminate flowers shortly bearded and throat densely yellow hirsute within, 7 mm long, tube glabrous within, 2 cm long, anthers 4-5 mm long, linear or subulate; pistillodes about 5-7 mm long, glabrous; pistillate corollas with tube and throat subequal, about 1 cm long, throat somewhat yellow puberulent within, no beard, tube glabrous within, antherodes subulate, 4 mm long; pistil with glabrous filiform style and subexserted stigma about 7 mm long, linear, bifid almost to base into slender blunt lobes papillate on inner surfaces and margins; fruit ellipsoid, 2 cm long, 13 mm wide at middle, thickly beset with white lenticels.
Distribution
Top of pageMussaeade philippica is native to the Philippines. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental and has been introduced mainly to tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, Australia and Malesia (Ogbu, 2011; Randall, 2017; Govaerts, 2018; GRIIS, 2018; Atlas of Living Australia 2018; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2018).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 18 Jun 2020Risk of Introduction
Top of pageThe risk of new introductions of M. philippica is high. This species is extensively commercialized as an ornamental and has attained significant economic importance in the nursery and landscape trade. Thus, new introductions as well as the colonization by this species of new areas especially those near cultivated areas are possible and highly likely to occur (Puff, 2007; Ogbu, 2011).
Habitat
Top of pageMussaenda philippica can be found growing in semi-shaded or open areas in secondary and primary forests, savannahs, forest edges, coastal scrubs and thickets, disturbed areas, roadsides, ravines and riparian sites at elevations from sea level to 1400 m (Alejandro et al., 2016).
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome number reported for M. philippica is 2n=22 (Philip and Mathew, 1988).
Reproductive Biology
Mussaenda species are often pollinated by butterflies (Naiki and Kato, 1999; Borges et al., 2003).
Physiology and Phenology
Within its native distribution range in the Philippines, M. philippica flowers throughout the year and fruits from January to February, April to June and August to December (Alejandro et al., 2016). When growing in cultivation, M. philippica produces flowers throughout the year, but rarely produces fruits (Fosberg et al., 1993; Alejandro et al., 2016). In Puerto Rico it has been recorded flowering from April to November (Hume, 1951). In Nigeria it produces flowers almost throughout the year (Ibironke and Victor, 2016).
Environmental Requirements
Mussaenda philippica grows best in humid habitats with full sunlight, but can tolerate some partial shade. It prefers well-drained clay, loamy or sandy soils with pH in the range 5.0-6.0. It has moderate tolerance to salt spray (Alejandro et al., 2016).
Climate
Top of page| Climate | Status | Description | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of page| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 25 |
Rainfall
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean annual rainfall | 950 | 3000 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Natural enemies
Top of page| Natural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maconellicoccus hirsutus | Herbivore | not specific | ||||
| Paratachardina pseudolobata | Herbivore | not specific |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageAlthough Mussaenda species are relatively pest- and disease-free, scale insects, mealybugs and mites are sometimes a problem. Two pests recently introduced into South Florida, the pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus) and the lobate lac scale (Paratachardina pseudolobata) have been known to infest mussaendas (McLaughlin and Garofalo, 2004).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageMussaenda philippica spreads by seeds. However, plants in cultivation rarely produce fruits and propagation is mostly by stem fragments and cuttings. In the Philippines, birds have been observed eating the ripe fruits of several Mussaenda species and may be important disseminators of the seeds (Alejandro et al., 2016).
Pathway Causes
Top of page| Cause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disturbance | Often grown along roadsides, forest edges and ruderal sites | Yes | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
| Escape from confinement or garden escape | Seeds and stem fragments from gardens, yards and parks | Yes | Yes | Ogbu, 2011 |
| Garden waste disposal | Seeds and stem fragments from gardens, yards and parks | Yes | Yes | Ogbu, 2011 |
| Hedges and windbreaks | Planted as a fence shrub | Yes | Yes | Ibironke and Victor, 2016 |
| Horticulture | Widely commercialized as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
| Intentional release | Widely commercialized as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
| Internet sales | Seeds and plants available online | Yes | Yes | |
| Nursery trade | Widely commercialized as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
| Ornamental purposes | Widely commercialized as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
| Seed trade | Seeds and plants available online | Yes | Yes |
Pathway Vectors
Top of page| Vector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debris and waste associated with human activities | Seeds and stem fragments from gardens, yards and parks | Yes | Yes | Ogbu, 2011 |
| Seeds and plants available online | Yes | Yes | ||
| Host and vector organisms | Seeds may be dispersed by birds | Yes | Alejandro et al., 2016 |
Impact Summary
Top of page| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Cultural/amenity | Positive |
| Economic/livelihood | Positive |
| Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
| Human health | Positive |
Environmental Impact
Top of pageMussaenda philippica is a species of environmental concern because it can grow up to 8 m tall and has a wide spreading crown that may shade out other vegetation including native plant species (Alejandro et al., 2016; Randall, 2017; GRIIS, 2018). It has been listed as invasive and potentially invasive in Reunion, Seychelles and the Marshall Islands (Tassin et al., 2006; GRIIS, 2018) and as an environmental weed in Queensland, Australia (Atlas of Living Australia, 2018).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page Invasiveness- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Tolerant of shade
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Long lived
- Fast growing
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Hybridization
- Rapid growth
- Rooting
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageMussaenda philippica is extensively grown as an ornamental in botanical gardens, parks, gardens and along roadsides, byways and highways (Puff, 2007; Ogbu, 2011; Alejandro et al., 2016; Ibironke and Victor, 2016). Leaves, flowers, fruits and sap are used in traditional Filipino and African medicine (Fosberg et al., 1993; Alejandro et al., 2016; Ibironke and Victor, 2016). In Nigeria, this species is used to treat dysentery, as an antidote for snakebites, affections of the chest and lungs and stomachache (Ibironke and Victor, 2016).
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Amenity
- Boundary, barrier or support
General
- Botanical garden/zoo
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Ornamental
- garden plant
- Potted plant
References
Top of pageBorges RM, Gowda V, Zacharias M, 2003. Butterfly pollination and high-contrast visual signals in a low-density distylous plant. Oecologia, 136(4), 571-573.
Davis AP, Govaerts R, Bridson DM, Ruhsam M, Moat J, Brummitt NA , 2009. A global assessment of distribution, diversity, endemism, and taxonomic effort in the Rubiaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 96(1), 68-78.
Fosberg, FR, Sachet, MH, Oliver, RL, 1993. Flora of Micronesia. Part 5. Bignoniaceae-Rubiaceae. In: Smithsonian Contributions in Botany , 81(5) . 1-135.
Govaerts, R, 2018. World Checklist of Rubiaceae. Richmond, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
GRIIS, 2018. Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species. http://www.griis.org/
Ibironke OA, Victor OO, 2016. Effect of media and growth hormones on the rooting of Queen of Philippines (Mussaenda philippica). Journal of Horticulture, 21, 1-5.
McLaughlin, J, Garofalo, J, 2004. Mussaendas for South Florida landscapes. Miami Dade, USA: University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service.8 pp.
Ogbu, JU, 2011. Ornamental Mussaenda spp for Nigeria’s gardens and landscape environment. In: Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, 24-28 October 2011, Sokoto, Nigeria . Umuahia, Nigeria: Agricultural Society of Nigeria. 316-319.
Philip KO, Mathew PM, 1988. Cytology of the south Indian Rubiaceae and its bearing on the evolution and systematics of the family. In: Glimpses in Plant Research, 8. 177-244.
Puff C, 2007. Flora of Thailand: Rubiaceae. https://homepage.univie.ac.at/christian.puff/_FTH-RUB/FTH-RUB_HOME.htm
Distribution References
Creuwels J, 2018. Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL) - Botany. Leiden, Netherlands: Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL). https://doi.org/10.15468/ib5ypt
Forzza R, Dalcin E, 2018. RB - Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Herbarium Collection. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro. https://doi.org/10.15468/7ep9i2
Fosberg FR, Sachet MH, Oliver RL, 1993. Flora of Micronesia. Part 5. Bignoniaceae-Rubiaceae. In: Smithsonian Contributions in Botany, 81 (5) 1-135.
Govaerts R, 2018. World Checklist of Rubiaceae., Richmond, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
GRIIS, 2018. Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species., http://www.griis.org/
McLaughlin J, Garofalo J, 2004. Mussaendas for South Florida landscapes., Miami Dade, USA: University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. 8 pp.
Ogbu JU, 2011. Ornamental Mussaenda spp for Nigeria’s gardens and landscape environment. In: Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, 24-28 October 2011, Sokoto, Nigeria [Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, 24-28 October 2011, Sokoto, Nigeria], Umuahia, Nigeria: Agricultural Society of Nigeria. 316-319.
Randhawa GS, Mukhopadhyay A, 2004. Floriculture in India. New Delhi, India: Allied Publishers PVT Ltd.
Red de Herbarios del Noroeste de México, 2017. (Flora del Noroeste dé Mexico)., Sonora, Mexico: Herbario de la Universidad de Sonora. http://herbanwmex.net/portal/taxa/index.php
Tulig M, Ramirez J, Watson K, 2017. The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY). Herbarium collections for Puerto Rico. New York, USA: New York Botanical Garden Herbarium. https://doi.org/10.15468/6e8nje
Van Langenberg A, 2006. Urban Gardening. A Hong Kong Gardener’s Journal. Shatin, Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press.
Contributors
Top of page16/04/2018 Original text by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Distribution Maps
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