PENTA

Pentas is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is found in tropical and southern Africa, the Comoros, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The plants have hairy green leaves and clusters of flowers in shades of red, white, pink, and purple. Pentas are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

  

Pentas lanceolata, commonly known as Egyptian starcluster, is a species of flowering plant in the madder family, Rubiaceae that is native to much of Africa as well as Yemen. It is known for its wide use as a garden plant where it often accompanies butterfly gardens.

Family | Rubiaceae

Gentianales is an order of flowering plants, included within the asterid clade of eudicots. It comprises more than 20,000 species in about 1,200 genera in 5 families.^[1] More than 80% of the species in this order belong to the family Rubiaceae.

The Madder family, Rubiaceae, includes family members Pentas, Gardenias, Coffea (coffee), Cinchona (the source of quinine), and dyer's madder (used to make red dye).

PENTA

Pentas is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is found in tropical and southern Africa, the Comoros, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The plants have hairy green leaves and clusters of flowers in shades of red, white, pink, and purple. Pentas are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

  

Pentas lanceolata, commonly known as Egyptian starcluster, is a species of flowering plant in the madder family, Rubiaceae that is native to much of Africa as well as Yemen. It is known for its wide use as a garden plant where it often accompanies butterfly gardens.

Cephalanthus

Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) grows well in a sandy, wet environment. 

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, that is native to eastern and southern North America. Common names include buttonbush, common buttonbush, button-willow and honey-bells.

Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub or small tree that averages 1–3 m (3.3–9.8 ft) in height, but can reach 6 m (20 ft). The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, elliptic to ovate, 7–18 cm (2.8–7.1 in) long and 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) broad, with a smooth edge and a short petiole. The flowers are arranged in a dense spherical inflorescence 2–3.5 cm (0.79–1.38 in) in diameter on a short peduncle. Each flower has a fused white to pale yellow four-lobed corolla forming a long slender tube connecting to the sepals. The stigma protrudes slightly from the corolla. The fruit is a spherical cluster of achenes (nutlets).

The fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) on button bush

˂˂ Common buttonbush contains the poison CEPHALATHIN. Cephalathin will induce vomiting, paralysis, and convulsions if ingested.  ˃˃                                                                                                                                                                  

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Milkweed, Milkweed Bugs, and Monarch Butterflies

Larvae of the monarch butterfly prefer to feed on milkweed plant leaves. They are not always alone Bug on variegated milkweed. Three bugs found on milkweed are large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), small milkweed bug (Lygaeus  kalmii), and milkweed assassin bug (Zelus longpipes) and they all have similar appearances. Bug Guide.

Butterflies prepare for the remainder of their journey and a new generation.

Monarch Butterfly preparing to lay eggs on the back of a milkweed leaf. In a few days the tiny larvae will emerge and begin devouring the milkweed leaves.

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©  2021 Hyden Photography for

Grassroots Horticulture

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Klyde Warren Park | Dallas Texas

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 Sophora  hedge

Goldilocks Drinking Fountain

 for a dog friendly park

Starflower (Penta)

©  Grassroots Horticulture

2000-2015

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