West indian-pink (Spigelia anthelmia, Sp. Pl.: 149 (1753))

Family: Loganiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 149 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Spigelia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

West Indian-pink is a striking plant known for its vibrant and eye-catching pink flowers. Scientifically recognized as Spigelia anthelmia, this species was first documented in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753.

This elegant member of the Loganiaceae family can primarily be found in the tropics and subtropics of America, where it thrives in various climates. The plant has drawn the interest of botanists and garden enthusiasts alike, not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its historical and ethnobotanical significance within its native regions.

Spigelia anthelmia features slender, upright stems that can reach modest heights, adorned with simple, opposite leaves. The leaves are typically smooth-edged and lance-shaped, providing a delicate foreground for the plant’s distinctive blossoms.

The flowers themselves are the plant’s main attraction, boasting a vivid pink hue that makes them stand out in natural settings. Flowers of the West Indian-pink often appear in clusters, creating a brilliant display that can enhance any garden or natural habitat it occupies.

Historically, plants in the genus Spigelia have been of interest for their medicinal properties. While each species varies, they have been traditionally employed in various treatments, particularly within herbal medicine practices. Caution should always be exercised, however, as some members of this genus can be toxic and should be used under expert guidance.

In summary, the West Indian-pink, or Spigelia anthelmia, is a beautiful and intriguing plant with a rich history in the tropics and subtropics of America. Whether appreciated for its ornamental value or studied for its historical uses, this plant undoubtedly adds unique charm and significance to the natural world.

Common Names

Eng: west indian pinkroot, west indian-pink, worm-grass
Por: erva-lombrigueira
En: West Indian-pink, Worm-grass, West Indian Pinkroot, West indian pink root, Worm-bush, Pink root of Demerara
Fr: Herbe a la brinvilliers, Bouvier, Brinvillière, Herbe à la Brinvilliers
Pt: Erva-lombrigueira
: West indian pinkroot

Synonyms

• Spigelia oppositifolia (Stokes)
• Spigelia anthelmia var. nervosa ((Steud.) Progel)
• Spigelia anthelmia var. peruviana (A.DC.)
• Spigelia anthelmia var. obliquinervia (A.DC.)
• Spigelia quadrifolia (Stokes)
• Spigelia domingensis (Gand.)
• Spigelia stipularis (Progel)
• Spigelia nervosa (Steud.)
• Spigelia fruticulosa (Lam.)

Distribution

• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Zaïre (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 Jan 1, 2020 by Santos Moacir (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Amayo Philips (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Youkpo Barthélemy Oréga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 14, 2021 by somuah Peter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Paiva Jr. Afranio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Oluwatisetemi Macmanuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2020 by Pinto Ana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Walter Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Walter Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Dominici osvaldo (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Carrington, S. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2021 by Shafa Latifa Shafa Maura Selohadi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Chloe PIERRE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Anthony Domingo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Acevedo, P. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2021 by Shafa Latifa Shafa Maura Selohadi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Dominici osvaldo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 19, 2019 by Dominici osvaldo (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5414391)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:318920-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spigelia anthelmia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth