Status:
valid
Authors:
(R.Br.) Nees
Source:
wcs
Year:
1846
Citation Micro:
Pl. Preiss. 2: 89 (1846)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000471662
Common Names
- Mesomelaena stygia
- Stygian Mesomelaena
- Stygian's Mesomelaena
Description
Mesomelaena stygia (also called 'Stygian Mesomelaena', among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree native to the Caribbean and Central America. It grows up to 8 meters tall and has alternate, oblong-lanceolate leaves. It is found in tropical dry forests, tropical moist forests, and tropical wet forests.
Uses & Benefits
Mesomelaena stygia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a medicinal plant for treating various ailments such as fever, colds, and headaches.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Mesomelaena stygia sub. deflexa (Kük.) K.L.Wilson
Mesomelaena stygia sub. stygia
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Mesomelaena stygia is small and white, with five petals. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped nut. The seedlings are small and thin, with long, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Mesomelaena stygia is a perennial herb that can be propagated from seed or division. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate some frost.
Where to Find Mesomelaena stygia
Mesomelaena stygia can be found in the Mediterranean region, from Portugal to Turkey and the Caucasus.
Mesomelaena stygia FAQ
What is the scientific name of this plant?
Mesomelaena stygia
What type of plant is this?
Herbaceous perennial
Where is this plant native to?
Central and South America
Species in the Mesomelaena genus
Species in the Cyperaceae family
Abildgaardia mexicana,
Abildgaardia ovata,
Abildgaardia schoenoides,
Abildgaardia triflora,
Abildgaardia oxystachya,
Abildgaardia odontocarpa,
Abildgaardia macrantha,
Abildgaardia fusiformis,
Abildgaardia pachyptera,
Actinoschoenus repens,
Actinoschoenus yunnanensis,
Actinoschoenus aphyllus,
Actinoscirpus grossus,
Afrotrilepis jaegeri,
Afrotrilepis pilosa,
Amphiscirpus nevadensis,
Arthrostylis aphylla,
Arthrostylis planiculmis,
Becquerelia clarkei,
Becquerelia cymosa,
Becquerelia discolor,
Becquerelia merkeliana,
Becquerelia muricata,
Becquerelia tuberculata,
Bisboeckelera irrigua,
Bisboeckelera longifolia,
Bisboeckelera microcephala,
Bisboeckelera vinacea,
Blysmus compressus,
Blysmus mongolicola,
Blysmus rufus,
Blysmus sinocompressus,
Bolboschoenoplectus mariqueter,
Bolboschoenus caldwellii,
Bolboschoenus capensis,
Bolboschoenus fluviatilis,
Bolboschoenus glaucus,
Bolboschoenus grandispicus,
Bolboschoenus laticarpus,
Bolboschoenus maritimus,
Bolboschoenus medianus,
Bolboschoenus nobilis,
Bolboschoenus novae-angliae,
Bolboschoenus planiculmis,
Bolboschoenus robustus,
Bolboschoenus schmidii,
Bolboschoenus stagnicola,
Bolboschoenus yagara,
Bolboschoenus koshevnikovii,
Bolboschoenus biconcavus,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:311212-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].