Lagunaria

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Lagunaria patersonia
Leaves and fruit
Leaves and fruit
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Lagunaria
(DC.) Rchb.
Species: L. patersonia

Binomial name
Lagunaria patersonia
(Andrews) G.Don.

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.

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