Ramgoat dashalong (Turnera ulmifolia, Sp. Pl.: 271 (1753))

Family: Passifloraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 271 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Turnera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to C. America, S. Florida to Caribbean

Description

Turnera ulmifolia, commonly known as Ramgoat dashalong, is a fascinating species that belongs to the Passifloraceae family. This resilient plant has its origins stretching across a diverse geographical range, from Mexico to Central America, extending east to South Florida and further to the Caribbean islands.

The Ramgoat dashalong typically grows as a small shrub, easily adaptable to various climates and soil conditions within its native range. It is celebrated for its bright, cheerful yellow flowers that stand out vividly against its dark, glossy green foliage. These flowers blossom during the morning and generally close by mid-afternoon, adding a dynamic and lively appearance to any landscape.

Growing in tropical and sub-tropical regions, Turnera ulmifolia thrives best in well-drained soils with ample sunlight, making it a perfect addition to gardens in warmer climates. Despite its attractive flowers, one of its most compelling features is its ability to flourish under a range of environmental conditions. This hardiness allows it to spread easily in both cultivated and wild settings, especially along roadsides and open fields.

Not just a pretty plant, the Ramgoat dashalong has various ethnobotanical uses. In traditional medicine, particularly in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, it has been utilized for its purported healing properties. Local practices often include using parts of the plant for treating a range of ailments, from inflammation to digestive issues.

The first formal description of Turnera ulmifolia can be traced back to 1753, credited to the esteemed botanist Linnaeus, as documented in the landmark publication “Species Plantarum” (Sp. Pl.: 271, 1753). Since then, the plant has maintained its botanical interest due to both its beauty and its various applications in traditional medicine.

In summary, the Ramgoat dashalong is not only visually appealing but also represents a plant of significant cultural and practical value within its native range. Its resilience and adaptability ensure that it remains a beloved plant among gardeners and traditional healers alike.

Common Names

Eng: ramgoat dashalong, west indian-holly, sage-rose, yellow-alder, west indian holly, yellow alder, turnera
Por: damiana, flor-do-guarujá
Deu: großblättrige damiana
Swe: strandöga
En: Ramgoat dashalong, Sage-rose, West Indian-holly, Yellow-alder, Ram-Goat-Dash-Along, West Indian holly, Yellow Alder, Turnera, Buttercup plant, Elm-leaved Turnera, Narrowleaf yellow alder
Bn: বাসন্তী
Zh: 黃時鐘花
Fr: Chevalier onze heures
De: Großblättrige Damiana
Id: Bunga pukul delapan
Ml: ചെരവത്താലി
Fa: توسکای زرد
Pt: Chanana, Damiana, Flor-do-guarujá, Albina
Es: Clavel de oro, Escobillo
Sv: Strandöga
Vi: Đông hầu vàng

Synonyms

Distribution

• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central American Pac (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Aldabra (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Momba GBANTA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by Nathalie Romain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Leo E (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2020 by patrick chamand (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2017 by Karina Delgado (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 4, 2021 by San Mao (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2021 by Castillero Carlos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Daroussi Ahamadi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Lidiya Josmani Josmani (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 27, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2019 by Sundar Mety (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by doumé (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by I Dewa Putu Wibisana Wikananda (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 27, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Jorge Cugat Herrero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Jorge Cugat Herrero (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Egon Krogsgaard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by joshua O (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 22, 2022 by Prasanta Hembram (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Jérémie pioch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2018 by Ness Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2022 by Carlos H Skerett (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2020 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Zilkia Ortiz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2874852)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:836702-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Turnera ulmifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth