Status:
valid
Authors:
(R.Br.) Benth.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1878
Citation Micro:
Fl. Austral. 7: 379 (1878)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000471695
Common Names
- Mesomelaena tetragona
- Tetragonal Mesomelaena
- Tetragonal's Mesomelaena
Synonyms
- Chaetospora teragons R.Br. [unknown]
Description
Mesomelaena tetragona (also called 'Tetragonal 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 tetragona is used as an ornamental plant and for its medicinal properties. It is also used to make a beverage called guarana, which is popular in Nigeria.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Mesomelaena tetragona is a small, white flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are small, with a single pair of leaves and a short stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Mesomelaena tetragona can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and rooted in a moist soil mix. Both methods require a warm, humid environment and plenty of light.
Where to Find Mesomelaena tetragona
Mesomelaena tetragona can be found in the Mediterranean region, from Portugal to Turkey and the Caucasus.
Mesomelaena tetragona FAQ
What is the scientific name of this plant?
Mesomelaena tetragona
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:130086-3: 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].