Osa pulchra
Osa pulchra is a species of rare flowering plant in the monotypic genus Osa, in the family Rubiaceae.[1] There are only two known populations in Costa Rica, with less than a total of thirty individual plants and a small population in Panama.[2] The name of the plant's genus is derived from the Osa Peninsula, which is located in southwestern Costa Rica.[3] The flower has been cultivated in several botanical gardens, including the New York Botanical Garden[4] and the Huntington Botanical Garden.
| Osa pulchra | |
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| Osa pulchra at NYBG | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Osa Aiello |
| Species: | O. pulchra |
| Binomial name | |
| Osa pulchra (Aiello) D.R.Simpson | |
| Synonyms | |
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Hintonia pulchra D.R.Simpson | |
Osa pulchra has large white, trumpet-shaped, pendulous flowers similar to many plants in the family, Solanaceae, such as Brugmansia and Solandra. The flowers are pendent, borne on long pedicels, fused-petals and an elongated corolla. The blooms are highly fragrant at night and are most likely pollinated by bats (chiropterophily).
Cultivation
This species is highly coveted because of its ornamental value. It needs a warm and humid climate with a well drained substrate and bright, indirect light. The plant is most easily propagated by seed, since cuttings can only be taken from the top of the plant due to apical dominance. [5] Seeds will germinate after one month, after which it takes three more weeks to fully emerge from the substrate and shed their seed coat.