수련목 Grewia occidentalis | Lavender star flower

 

수련목(Grewia occidentalis)은 피나무과의 상록 관목이다.

 

꽃이 수련과 비슷하다고 하여 수련목으로 부르게 되었다. 원산지는 남아프리카공화국, 짐바브웨, 모잠비크 등의 남아프리카와 오스트레일리아 등으로 건조한 암석지대, 초목지대, 덤불 숲 등에서 자라며 추위와 더위 등에도 잘 견뎌 기후 적응력이 강하다.

 

영명은 라벤더별꽃(Lavender star flower).

 

 

 

↓ 세미원

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

높이 3m 정도로 자라며 잎은 광택이 나고 앞뒷면에 털이 약간 있다. 1.5~3cm 가량의 연한 자주색 꽃이 1~3송이씩 위를 향해 피는데, 10도 이상의 기온이면 연중 핀다. 네 갈래로 된 열매를 맺으며 광택 있는 연분홍 열매가 오래도록 달린다.

 

당분 함량이 높아 말린 열매를 우유에 넣어 끓이거나 술을 담그기도 한다. 화단에 심거나 분재용도로 이용된다. 종자와 삽목으로 번식한다. 

 

 

※ Lavender Star Flower Survives any Climate

 

The Lavender Star Flower, which is native to Australia and Africa, is a hardy plant that survives in all kinds of habitats including dry desert, coastal dunes, mountain forests, wooded grasslands or rocky terrain. 

This multi-stemmed tree, which is now found world-wide, grows up to a height of 3 meters. Though deciduous, it can remain evergreen under favorable conditions. The leaves are slightly tapering, dark green, and shiny but hairy. They have irregularly toothed margins that give them a decorative look.

The tree remains in bloom round the year. However, between October and January and in spring it is covered by a profusion of mauve or purple colored flowers. The fruits, which are berry-like, dark brown and four-lobed, give the tree the name of cross berry. When ripe they turn reddish brown.

Cattle and animals such as black rhino, giraffe and others, and the larvae of some species of butterfly, feed on its leaves while birds like bulbuls and barbets feast on its fruits. The fruits have high sugar content and are used for making milkshakes and brewing beer. The tree has several medicinal qualities. Shampoo made from its bark is used to prevent the graying of hair; bark soaked in hot water is used to treat wounds; while the root extracts are effective in childbirth.

The tree can be propagated from seeds, particularly seeds from the excreta of monkeys and baboons. Nevertheless, being hardy the tree can germinate even without this process. It can also withstand frost and drought and can be grown both in full sun and in shade. It grows in a healthy manner when planted in compost soil and watered regularly.

It makes a prized garden plant with its slender branches hanging down in curving arches. Since it also attracts birds and butterflies it is a preferred tree for pollination. <http://www.plant-care.com/1600-lavender-star-flower.html>