Turnera ulmifolia

Turnera ulmifolia belongs to the family of the Passifloraceae and is a herbaceous plant of several years. It originally comes from the tropical and subtropical regions of America, especially from Central America and the Caribbean. Nowadays, however, it is widespread in many warm areas of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. The plant is often valued for its attractive yellow flowers and its traditional medical applications.

Morphology

Turnera ulmifolia is an upright, branched shrub that can reach a height of up to 1 meter. The plant has lanceolate, serrated leaves that are about 3 to 6 cm long. The leaves are deep green and have a slightly rough texture, which makes them resistant to drying out and extreme temperatures.

The flowers of Turnera ulmifolia are one of its most striking characteristics. They are bright yellow and measure about 2 to 4 cm in diameter. Each flower has five crown leaves that have a radiant symmetry, and it usually blooms in the morning. The flowers are short -lived and often only remain open for one day. Interestingly, the flowers show a pronounced phenomenon of nycticinasty, which means that they close at night or when the lighting conditions remove. Although every single flower is short -lived, the plant blooms over a long period of time, typically from spring to autumn, which makes it a valuable ornamental plant.

After flowering, Turnera ulmifolia develops small, dry fruits that have a length of about 1 cm and contain tiny seeds. These seeds are often spread by the wind or by animals that consume the fruits.

Ecology and distribution

In her natural environment, Turnera ulmifolia grows on well -permeable soils and prefers sunny locations. It is well adapted to dry conditions and can thrive in sandy or stony soils, which makes it a resistant plant in arid and semi-arid regions.

Although the plant originally comes from America, it has established itself in many tropical and subtropical regions. It is often seen as an invasive way in some areas because it can spread quickly and often occurs in disturbed landscapes such as road edges, agricultural areas and urban environments.

Use

Turnera ulmifolia has a long history of medical use in many cultures. In traditional folk medicine, the plant is used to treat a variety of symptoms, including digestive problems, respiratory diseases and menstrual complaints. Especially in Caribbean and Latin American medicine, the plant is often used as a sedative or to relieve pain.

Some studies have shown that Turnera ulmifolia has potentially antioxidant and anti -inflammatory properties. There are indications that certain chemical compounds in the plant, such as flavonoids and tannins, are responsible for these health benefits. The plant was also examined for its potential antimicrobial properties because it was used in folk medicine to treat infections.

In addition to her medical use, Turnera ulmifolia is also popular as an ornamental plant in gardens. Due to its resistant nature and its attractive, long -lasting flowers, it is a valuable addition to tropical and subtropical gardens. The plant also attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which makes it ecologically valuable.

Reproduction and care

Turnera ulmifolia can spread through seeds and through vegetative increase. The seeds germinate relatively quickly as long as they are sown in well -permeable soils and in warm temperatures. The plant prefers sunny locations and thrives best in tropical or subtropical climate zones. It requires little care, but can benefit from occasional pruning to promote growth and keep the plant compact.

The plant is relatively resistant to dryness, but needs regular watering, especially during flowering, to achieve optimal results. However, too much moisture can lead to root rot, which is why well -permeable soils are preferred.