Jovellana sinclairii

Jovellana sinclairii is a perennial herbaceous plant which grows into 1 by 1.8 m rounded shrubs. The leaves are 2 - 8 cm by 2 - 5 cm and grow opposite each other, suspended off of 8.2 by 2.3 mm petioles. Above they are a dark to yellow green and light green below. The plant's stems can be up to 80 cm long and are green or red, the bases of which becoming woody with age. It has 30cm long inflorescences with cream white flowers growing off of 3cm long pedicels. The flowers are 4.8 - 10.2 mm long and have spots of purple with 2 concave lips and a 2 mm long calyx. The anthers are suborbicular (approximately circular) with short filaments. The seeds are 0.35 - 0.6 mm long and are dark red - brown concealed within an egg shaped 3.8. - 4.2 mm long capsule. It fruits from October to February and disperses its seeds by wind and possibly water.[2]

Jovellana sinclairii looks similar to the other species in the genus Jovellana endemic to New Zealand; Jovellana repens, though it has smaller leaves, flowers, and typically fewer flowers in each inflorescence. It also grows into a mat as opposed to the small shrubs Jovellana sinclairii forms.[4]

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  Top side of the leaf
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  Underside of leaf
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  Full inflorescence
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  Flower close up

Jovellana honours the 18th century patron of Botany Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and sinclairii is after Andrew Sinclair, a Colonial Secretary of New Zealand and naturalist (c.1796 - 1861).[2][5][6]

It is easily grown from both seed and cuttings.[2] Prefers a sheltered shady / semi-shady location in well drained soil.[7]