Posoqueria longiflora, also known as needle flower treePosoqueria longiflora. (n.d.). University of Connecticut. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://bcmapp.dev.i3.uconn.edu/plants/info/201100206 or needle flowerBotanic Gardens of Sydney. (2023, November 30). Must see December. Sydney. Posoqueria longiflora. (n.d.-b). PlantThis. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from http://www.plantthis.com.au/plant-information.asp?gardener=27331 is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae native to subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest of Northern South America.
Description
Vegetative characteristics Posoqueria longiflora is a 2–5 m tall shrub or treeGomes, M. & Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.). Posoqueria longiflora Aubl. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/FB24531 bearing lanceolate, acuminate leaves with a wavy leaf margin.Posoqueria longiflora. (n.d.). Flore De Guyane. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://floredeguyane.piwigo.com/index?/category/2261-iposoqueria_longiflora_i Generative characteristics The pendent, elegant, terminal inflorescences bear fragrant, nectariferous, sphingophilous, tubular, pure white, flowers 28–35 cm (rarely to 38 cm) long, while not over 2 mm diameter. The five petals are reflexed. The yellowFlörke, H. G., Korth, J. W. D., Hoffmann, C. O., Kossarski, L. (1810). Oekonomische Encyklopädie, oder, Allgemeines System der Staats-, Stadt-, Haus- und Landwirthschaft: in alphabetischer Ordnung. p. 651. Germany: J. Pauli. or orange fruit has five linear, pointed, leathery, persistent sepals.The William & Lynda Steere Herbarium. (2019, January 24). Specimen Details - Posoqueria longiflora Aubl. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://sweetgum.nybg.org/science/vh/specimen-details/?irn=2512306
Taxonomy It was described by Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet in 1775.Aublet, Fusée. (1775). Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise : rangées suivant la méthode sexuelle, avec plusieurs mémoires sur différens objects intéressans, relatifs à la culture & au commerce de la Guiane Françoise, & une notice des plantes de l'Isle-de-France ... (Vol. 1, p. 134). P. F. Didot jeune. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/362110 It is the type species of its genus.Büttner, R. (2001). Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: (Except Ornamentals). pp. 1775–1776 Germany: Springer. Etymology The specific epithet longiflora means having long flowers.Wallace, B. (2001). Understanding the system of botanical plant names. Australian Plants Online. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://anpsa.org.au/APOL27/sep02-4.html
Ecology Pollination It is pollinated by a sphinx moth. When a sphinx moth inserts its proboscis into the flower, it touches a trigger mechanism which causes the four lateral stamens (two pairs) to move away from the center, while the middle stamen lunges forward like a catapult coating the lower surface of the moth with pollen to pollinate the stigma of the next flower visited. The role of the lateral stamens remains unclear. Herbivory The fruit is eaten by fish.
Use The fruit is edible and sweet.Lehmann, K. G. (1854). Handbuch der physiologischen Chemie. p. 130. Germany: W. Engelmann. It is used as bait for fishing.La plante du mois Posoqueria longiflora. (2024, April 15). Réserve Naturelle Régionale Trésor. Retrieved September 13, 2025, from https://www.reserve-tresor.fr/la-plante-du-mois-30/
References