Description

• Turnera ulmifolia, commonly known as yellow alder, sage rose or West Indian holly, is a perennial herb or small shrub in the family Passifloraceae. It typically grows 30 cm–1 m tall, with branching stems and alternate, oblong to lance-shaped leaves that have coarsely toothed margins and a rough texture. Its bright yellow, five-petalled flowers grow singly in the leaf axils and usually open in the morning. The flowers are attractive to bees and other insect pollinators. The plant produces small, rounded to oval capsules containing numerous seeds. It is often cultivated as an ornamental and can spread readily in warm climates.

Range

• Turnera ulmifolia is native to tropical America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America. It is now widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, partly through cultivation and naturalisation. In Mexico, it occurs in warm regions, including Guerrero, where it may be found in natural vegetation, gardens and disturbed areas.

Habitat

• This species grows in tropical dry forests, scrublands, grasslands, roadsides, forest margins and disturbed ground. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded locations with well-drained soils and tolerates heat and seasonal drought once established. Around Zihuatanejo, it may be found along roadsides, open slopes, woodland edges, gardens and clearings within seasonally dry tropical vegetation.