What's Blooming

Pleiocarpa mutica

Meadow Bridge,  Near the 'Planet' sculpture

Native to West and West Central Tropical Africa, Pleiocarpa mutica is a large shrub that thrives along riverbanks and swampy grounds and can grow up to 8m tall! The genus name Pleiocarpa comes from the Greek words with ‘pleio-’ meaning “many” or “more”, and ‘carpa’, meaning “fruit”. Together, they refer to “many fruits”. Its species name mutica, is derived from the Latin word “muticus” which means rounded, alluding to the rounded tip of the fruits. In its native range, Pleiocarpa mutica is valued for its medicinal properties, whereby its bark and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as fever and malaria.

Its white, star-shaped flowers are strongly fragrant and remind me of jasmine. Although the blooms are hidden amongst its glossy foliage, this plant makes its presence known with its sweet-smelling flowers, which you can smell them from a distance! Their strong smell helps attract pollinators to them, guiding them to the flowers even when they are concealed within the dense foliage. As you stroll through the outdoor gardens, keep an eye out for the flowers whenever you catch a hint of their sweet, floral fragrance! They are located near the Planet sculpture, by the Meadow bridge!

This article is part of our What's Blooming series.