''Sparrmannia africana'', the African hemp or African linden, is a
species of
flowering plant in the mallow
family Malvaceae,
native to open woodland in South Africa and Madagascar. It is one of up to seven species in the genus ''Sparrmannia''. The genus name is after
Anders Sparrman.
Growing to tall by broad, ''S. africana'' is an
evergreen shrub
A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...
or small tree with large pale green leaves long and clusters of white flowers with red and yellow stamens. It is not closely related to the true hemp,
cannabis.
''Sparrmannia'' species are known for their
haptonasty, rapid movements made by the stamens when they are touched. This adaptation helps in more effective pollination.
With a minimum temperature of , ''Sparrmannia africana'' is grown as a
houseplant in
temperate climates. It has gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
.
The name ''Sparmannia acerifolia'' hort. ex Steud., with a mis-spelled generic name – an "orthographic variant" – was in the past used for this species.
See also
*
List of Southern African indigenous trees
References
External links
*
''Sparmannia africana''photo
Grewioideae
Flora of Africa
House plants
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