Egyptian Starflower, Egyptian Star Cluster, Pentas

Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers

PEN-tus lan-see-oh-LAY-tah

Rubiaceae

Explanation of name: Pentas refers to the five petals. Lanceolata refers to the lanceolate leaf shapes.

Natural range: Africa and Arabia

Recognition: Herbaceous or slightly woody perennial or subshrub with opposite lanceolate leaves having a fringed stipule between the bases. The tightly clustered, star-shaped flowers have 5 petals and occur in a wide array of bright colors, mostly reddish hues, also white. The cultivars are numerous. A popular selection as this is being written is Pentas lanceolata ‘Cranberry’.

Landscape uses: One of the most-used, reliable, ever-showy, bright-flowered bedding plants or small shrubs in South Florida. Can be treated as an annual or as a perennial. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Large specimens may become weather-beaten and require cutting back, from which the plants recover. Although sun-loving, the plants can be shade-tolerant to a point.

Note: Some clones are heterostylous.