Yellow alder, Buttercup bush
Turnera ulmifolia

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

An small evergreen shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long. They are glossy and dark green. They are softly hairy. The edges have teeth. The flowers are funnel shaped and 5 cm across. The petals are yellow. They have teeth along the edge.

Also put in the family Turneraceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It needs moderate moisture. It can grow in an average, well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. At MARDI.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Christmas Island, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Hawaii, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, South America, Tuvalu, USA, Virgin Islands, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for a stimulant tea drink. They are also used for flavouring.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea

How it is grown

It self seeds easily.

Its other names

Local names

Albina, Bakarinukaa, Banker's flower, Marilopez, Reendhoomaa, Shit-nar-yi-pan

Synonyms

Turnera angustifolia Mill.; Turnera cuneiformis Bello; Turnera scabra Millsp.; Turnera ulmifolia L. var. angustifolia (Mill.) DC.; Turnera ulmifolia L. var. intermedia Urb.;