Parrot’s Beak

Gmelina philippensis (F. Muell.) Benth.

(with comments on G. arborea Roxb. and G. asiatica L.)

meh-LINE-ah fill-ah-PEN-sis

Verbenaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name for J. Gottleib Gmelin, 1709-1755, German naturalist (HUX). Specific name self-explanatory

Synonym: G. hystrix Schult. ex Kurz

Natural range: Philippines, Tropical Mainland Asia

Recognition: Sprawling shrub with dangling branches. Leaves opposite, having peltate (shield-shaped) scales beneath. Inflorescences large dangling racemes with yellow flowers protruding between bracts

Landscape uses: Brightly colored specimen shrub with scandent-dangling branches.

Gmelina asiatica (G. elliptica Sm.), Bulang, native to India and Sri Lanka, is often spiny and has the leaves often three-lobed; they are villous (silky) beneath. This species is used sometimes as a thorny hedge. Gmelina arborea is an Indian tree species cultivated infrequently in Florida. Its flowers are bicolored yellow and brown.