Lagunaria

Read about Lagunaria in the 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 It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article.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.

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Lagunaria patersonia

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.

References

Gallery

Fruit of the Pyramid Tree
Flower of the Pyramid Tree