Ouratea

This is a native species in the southeastern brazilian coastal areas, living on sandy plains, although it was collected in Peru and other...Read More continental areas of South America, according to the New York Botanical Garden registry. Anyway, it´s indeed an important species on the biome known as "Restinga", the coastal vegetation on sand. So, it can be considered an endangered species, along with its natural habitat...

It´s a small shrub that can grow taller in more humid places. Has fleshy, bright green, shiny leaves. The flowers come in dense spikes. They are 1,5cm round, bright yellow with golden stamens, very atractive. Depending on the conditions, it will bloom very small (the one I took shots was 30cm tall), so it would be recomended if you don´t have much space in your garden and have sandy soil.

The fruits develop as the floral receptacle swells, becoming a round, bright red structure. The ovarium per se becomes separated as the receptacle grows, becoming 2-5 fruitlets, bright gree. The green-red structure atracts birds, and has a curious visual effect. When it has only 2 fruitlets, it looks like Mickey Mouse´s head.

It needs lots of sun and heat, regular watering and very well drained soil. Maybe under lower temperatures and more fertilized soils it will grow taller.

Edit (02/07/2004): The plant I took the pictures of flowers above was removed. They are going to build a new mall on that place. This shows how in danger every species of these Restinga places are...