Egyptian Starcluster
Pentas lanceolata
- Native to:
- Bangladesh, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guam, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Palau, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen
Jim Evans
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Genus:
- Pentas
- Species:
- Pentas lanceolata
- USDA Symbol:
- PELA19
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, white, lavender, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Tersa sphinx (Xylophanes tersa)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, hummingbirds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to regions with warm climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Maintain temperatures of 70-75°F for best results.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI