''Pentas'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Rubiaceae
The Rubiaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. It consists of terrestrial trees, shrubs, lianas, or herbs that are recognizable by simple, opposite leaves with interpetiolar stipules a ...
. The genus is found in tropical and southern Africa, the
Comoros,
Madagascar
Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...
, and the
Arabian Peninsula.
The plants have hairy green leaves and clusters of flowers in shades of red, white, pink, and purple. ''Pentas'' are attractive to
butterflies and
hummingbirds. Some species are commonly cultivated and can be grown in pots and baskets. Species such as ''
Pentas lanceolata'' can withstand full sunlight and need little to no care, growing even in locations that are dry and hot.
Floridata: ''Pentas lanceolata''.
Floridata.
Species
*'' Pentas angustifolia''
*'' Pentas arvensis''
*'' Pentas caffensis''
*'' Pentas cleistostoma''
*'' Pentas glabrescens''
*'' Pentas herbacea''
*'' Pentas lanceolata'' - Egyptian starcluster
*'' Pentas micrantha''
*'' Pentas nervosa''
*'' Pentas pauciflora''
*'' Pentas pubiflora''
*'' Pentas purpurea''
*'' Pentas purseglovei''
*'' Pentas suswaensis''
*'' Pentas tibestica''
*'' Pentas zanzibarica''
Image gallery
File:Pentas 'Butterfly-Deep-Rose'.jpg, Pentas lanceolata 'Butterfly-Deep-Rose'
References
Rubiaceae genera
{{Rubioideae-stub