Purple trumpet
Rothmannia longiflora

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It can be 5 m high. The stems have many branches. The leaves are shiny. They are oval and 6 cm long by 4 cm wide. They flowers are long, white and funnel shaped. They can be 25 cm long. They are held fairly erect. The fruit are round and 5 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,700 m altitude. It grows in woodlands and in palm groves. It grows in gaps exposed to light in forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Fruit form about 3 months after flowering.

Its other names

Local names

Fina, N'sambokatch, Terompet ungu

Synonyms

Gardenia speciosa A. Rich [Illegitimate]; Gardenia stanleyana Hook. ex Lindl.; Randia maculata DC; Solena maculata (DC.) D. Dietr.; and others