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Conservation Status
IUCN: not evaluated
USFWS: None
Family: APOCYNACEAE Genus: Stemmadenia Species: litoralis Species Author: (Kunth) L. Allorge Vernacular: Lecheso, Milky Way Tree, Cojón
Stemmadenia is one of the most beautiful and fragrant tropical species. It is a small tree with multi-layered canopy and paired oval leaves, dark green, about 6 inches long. Lechoso produces white fragrant flowers, throughout the year. The flower has a tubular corolla with 5 petals fused together that typically overlap the bud, with a single style and stigma.
When in full bloom, perfume fills the area with a soft, musky fragrance. A massive profusion of flowers cover the branches, pure white against the glossy leaves, and carpets the ground with fallen blossoms. The small fruits, often appearing in pairs, look like the hooks of a miniature anchor. They are pods, golden in color and about 4 inches long.
(Kramer, Jack. 1998. Florida Exotics: Unusual Plants for Garden and Home.)
Lechoso is native to Central America, but now is grown in most of the tropical regions.
(Kramer, Jack. 1998. Florida Exotics: Unusual Plants for Garden and Home.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
We currently have 6 herbarium specimens for Stemmadenia litoralis in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
