Pentas (Rubiaceae) Pentas is a genus of about 40 species of low-growing, mainly evergreen shrubs and perennials, which are wild in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Madagascar.

Pentas lanceolata (Forssk.) Deflers. (Rubiaceae) Star-Cluster or Egyptian Star-Cluster A small sub-shrub, native of the Middle East to E Africa where it grows in the bush. Stems upright or prostrate, downy, to 2m. Leaves ovate to elliptic, bright green, softly hairy, to 15 cm long and 5cm across. Flowers star-shaped, each about 4cm long, in many-flowered clusters; colour variable, ranging from white and pale pink to deep red. Much used as an ornamental plant in the tropics; there are many named colour forms (see illustrations). ‘Bright Pink’ is one of the showier varieties cultivated in the tropics. Good in the warm greenhouse or in warm weather outside in tubs.

Cultivation Easily grown in fertile soil. Although tolerant of summer drought, it needs water to continue flowering.
Height to 2m (6½ft); spread to 3m (10ft). USZ 9–11, surviving -3°C (27°F) of overnight frost. Tolerant of summer drought.

Photographs:
Pentas lanceolata 'Bright Pink'
Pentas lanceolata 'Tu Tone'
Pentas lanceolata