Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Portlandia grandiflora is a slow growing evergreen shrub reaching six feet tall. Initially the shrub grows on a tall single stem so it has the look of a small straight tree. With age, it fills out and becomes more shrub-like. Mature trees have been reported to grow up to 15 feet tall. It has elliptic, leathery leaves and the dark green, lush foliage contrasts beautifully with the pure white flowers. The shrub produces large and very showy six-inch long, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom from late Spring into Fall. The air is filled with their delicious perfume that is most fragrant in the evening and early morning, but can be appreciated most any time.
(Clay, Horace F. and Hubbard, James C. 1977. Tropical Exotics.)

This beautiful flowering shrub is a native of Cuba and Jamaica.
(Clay, Horace F. and Hubbard, James C. 1977. Tropical Exotics.)

Portlandia grandiflora is named after a former Duchess of Portland. Originally discovered in the island some centuries ago it has been in decline until Jamaicas National Arboretum Foundation at Hope Gardens began propagating the species.
(Clay, Horace F. and Hubbard, James C. 1977. Tropical Exotics.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

We currently have 1 herbarium specimens for Portlandia grandiflora in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 045448 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2006