| Posoqueria longiflora | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Posoqueria |
| Species: | P. longiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Posoqueria longiflora | |
| Synonyms | |
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Posoqueria longiflora, also known as needle flower tree or needle flower is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae native to subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest of Northern South America.
Posoqueria longiflora is a 2–5 m tall shrub or tree bearing lanceolate, acuminate leaves with a wavy leaf margin.
The pendent, elegant, terminal inflorescences bear fragrant, nectariferous, sphingophilous, tubular, pure white, flowers 28–35 cm (rarely to 38 cm) long, while not over 2 mm diameter. The five petals are reflexed. The yellow or orange fruit has five linear, pointed, leathery, persistent sepals.
It was described by Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet in 1775. It is the type species of its genus.
The specific epithet longiflora means having long flowers.
It is pollinated by a sphinx moth. When a sphinx moth inserts its proboscis into the flower, it touches a trigger mechanism which causes the four lateral stamens (two pairs) to move away from the center, while the middle stamen lunges forward like a catapult coating the lower surface of the moth with pollen[failed verification] to pollinate the stigma of the next flower visited. The role of the lateral stamens remains unclear.
The fruit is eaten by fish.
The fruit is edible and sweet. It is used as bait for fishing.
