Quisqualis

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Read about Quisqualis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Quisqualis (Latin, who, what kind). Combretaceae. Rambling subscandent large shrubs, including the rangoon creeper which is hardy in the extreme south of the United States and is also sometimes grown in the warmhouse. Leaves opposite, oblong or obovate, acuminate, entire: fls. in short spikes, axillary and terminal, white or red; calyx-tube prolonged, long and slender above the ovary, deciduous; petals 5; stamens 10, short; ovary 1-celled: fr. dry, coriaceous, 5-angled or 5-winged, 1-seeded.—About 4 species, chiefly Indian, 1 in Trop. and S. Afr. The name quisqualis means literally who? what? and is said to have been given by Rumphius in astonishment at the plant's behavior, for it is said to grow erect and shrub-like to a height of 3 ft., when it throws out from the base a new growth that climbs up the neighboring trees, after which the original shrub perishes. Many other interesting statements about this plant are made in B.M. 2033. Quisqualis indica is cultivated in northern hothouses. For best results it should be planted in beds of soil composed of fibrous loam, peat, and sand. The flowers appear from June to September, and last well when cut. After flowering the plant should be cut back severely and water applied less frequently until the wood is ripened. New growth starts the following spring. If the plant is kept in a very hot and humid atmosphere, it makes a rampant growth. It is remarkably free from insect pests and fungous diseases. Propagation is by softwood cuttings inserted in sand with bottom heat. (Emil Mische.) 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 It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article.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.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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