198 Species in Genus Dombeya

May 16 – Dombeya
"Dombeya, the pink ball tree, defines May 16."
Dombeya stands for beauty and resilience. You have an enduring elegance, charming everyone you meet. Like its clusters of pink blossoms, your kindness brings people together in celebration.

Dombeya: A Floral Fascination

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m captivated by the genus Dombeya. These flowering plants, belonging to the expansive Malvaceae family, are a testament to nature’s artistry. Originally from Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarene Islands, they’ve found homes in gardens worldwide. What draws me to them is their sheer diversity and the captivating beauty of their blooms.

A Diverse Genus

Dombeya is a large genus, boasting 198 species. This incredible variety translates into a stunning array of colors, shapes, and sizes. From the delicate pink blossoms of Dombeya burgessiae to the vibrant red flowers of Dombeya wallichii, there’s a Dombeya to suit every taste. Some species are shrubs, while others grow into substantial trees. This diversity makes them incredibly versatile for landscaping and gardening.

Here’s a list of Dombeya species:

1. Dombeya acuminatissima Hochr.
2. Dombeya acutangula Cav.
3. Dombeya aethiopica Gilli
4. Dombeya albisquama Arènes
5. Dombeya albotomentosa Arènes
6. Dombeya alleizettei Arènes
7. Dombeya amaniensis Engl.
8. Dombeya ambalabeensis Arènes
9. Dombeya ambatosoratrensis Arènes
10. Dombeya ambohitrensis Arènes
11. Dombeya ambositrensis Arènes
12. Dombeya ameliae Guill.
13. Dombeya amplifolia Arènes
14. Dombeya anakaensis Arènes
15. Dombeya andapensis Arènes
16. Dombeya andrahomanensis Arènes
17. Dombeya angustipetala Arènes
18. Dombeya ankaratrensis Arènes
19. Dombeya ankazobeensis Arènes
20. Dombeya anonyensis Arènes
21. Dombeya antsianakensis Baill.
22. Dombeya apikyensis Arènes
23. Dombeya aquifoliopsis Hochr.
24. Dombeya asymmetrica Appleq.
25. Dombeya australis Scott Elliot
26. Dombeya autumnalis I.Verd.
27. Dombeya baronii Baker
28. Dombeya bathiei Hochr.
29. Dombeya befotakensis Arènes
30. Dombeya bemarivensis (Hochr.) Arènes
31. Dombeya biumbellata Baker
32. Dombeya blattiolens Frapp. ex Cordem.
33. Dombeya borraginea Hochr.
34. Dombeya breonii Baill.
35. Dombeya brevistyla Arènes
36. Dombeya buettneri K.Schum.
37. Dombeya burgessiae Gerrard ex Harv.
38. Dombeya cacuminum Hochr.
39. Dombeya cannabina Hils. & Bojer ex Hook.
40. Dombeya capuroniana Arènes
41. Dombeya capuronii Arènes
42. Dombeya catatii Hochr.
43. Dombeya ciliata Cordem.
44. Dombeya condensata Hochr.
45. Dombeya coria Baill.
46. Dombeya coriopsis Hochr.
47. Dombeya costulatinervia Arènes
48. Dombeya cymosa Harv.
49. Dombeya danguyi Hochr.
50. Dombeya decanthera Cav.
51. Dombeya decaryana Arènes
52. Dombeya decaryi Hochr.
53. Dombeya delislei Arènes
54. Dombeya dichotoma Hochr.
55. Dombeya dichotomopsis Hochr.
56. Dombeya digyna Hochr.
57. Dombeya digynopsis Hochr.
58. Dombeya divaricata Arènes
59. Dombeya dolichophylla Arènes
60. Dombeya dufournetii Arènes
61. Dombeya elegans Cordem.
62. Dombeya elliptica Bojer
63. Dombeya erythroclada Bojer
64. Dombeya ficulnea Baill.
65. Dombeya flabellifolia Arènes
66. Dombeya floribunda Baker
67. Dombeya formosa Le Péchon & Pausé
68. Dombeya gautieri Dorr & Skema
69. Dombeya glaberrima Arènes
70. Dombeya glabripes Arènes
71. Dombeya glandulosissima Arènes
72. Dombeya glechomifolia Baker
73. Dombeya gracilicyma Arènes
74. Dombeya hafodahy Arènes
75. Dombeya hafodahyformis Arènes
76. Dombeya hafotsy Arènes
77. Dombeya halapo Arènes
78. Dombeya heimii Arènes
79. Dombeya hildebrandtii Baill.
80. Dombeya hilsenbergii Baill.
81. Dombeya hirsuta Bojer
82. Dombeya hispidicyma Arènes
83. Dombeya humbertiana Arènes
84. Dombeya ianthotricha Arènes
85. Dombeya ivohibeensis Arènes
86. Dombeya kefaensis Friis & Bidgood
87. Dombeya kirkii Mast.
88. Dombeya laevissima Hochr.
89. Dombeya lastii K.Schum.
90. Dombeya latipetala Arènes
91. Dombeya laurifolia (Bojer) Baill.
92. Dombeya lavasoensis Arènes
93. Dombeya leachii Wild
94. Dombeya leandrii Arènes
95. Dombeya lecomtei Hochr.
96. Dombeya lecomteopsis Arènes
97. Dombeya ledermannii Engl.
98. Dombeya leuconeura Engl. & K.Krause
99. Dombeya lokohensis Arènes
100. Dombeya longebracteolata Seyani
101. Dombeya longepedicellata Hochr.
102. Dombeya longicuspidata Arènes
103. Dombeya longicuspis Baill.
104. Dombeya longifolia Baill.
105. Dombeya longipes Baill.
106. Dombeya × longistipula Arènes
107. Dombeya lucida Baill.
108. Dombeya macrophylla Arènes
109. Dombeya macropoda Hochr.
110. Dombeya magnifolia Arènes
111. Dombeya mananarensis Arènes
112. Dombeya mandenensis Arènes
113. Dombeya mandrakensis Arènes
114. Dombeya mangorensis Arènes
115. Dombeya manongarivensis Hochr.
116. Dombeya marivorahonensis Arènes
117. Dombeya marojejyensis Arènes
118. Dombeya megaphyllopsis Hochr.
119. Dombeya menalohensis Arènes
120. Dombeya merika Arènes
121. Dombeya micrantha Appleq.
122. Dombeya midongyensis Arènes
123. Dombeya milleri Appleq. & Bosser
124. Dombeya modesta Baker
125. Dombeya modestiformis Arènes
126. Dombeya mollis Hook.
127. Dombeya montana (Hochr.) Arènes
128. Dombeya oblongifolia Arènes
129. Dombeya oblongipetala Arènes
130. Dombeya obovalis Baill.
131. Dombeya oligantha Arènes
132. Dombeya palmatisecta Hochr.
133. Dombeya parvipetala Arènes
134. Dombeya pauciflora Appleq.
135. Dombeya pentagonalis Arènes
136. Dombeya perrieri Arènes
137. Dombeya pilosa Cordem.
138. Dombeya pilosissima Appleq. & Andriamih.
139. Dombeya platanifolia Bojer
140. Dombeya ploocarpa Hochr.
141. Dombeya polyphylla K.Schum.
142. Dombeya pubescens (Hochr.) Arènes
143. Dombeya pulchra N.E.Br.
144. Dombeya punctata Cav.
145. Dombeya punctatopsis Hochr.
146. Dombeya quinqueseta (Delile) Exell
147. Dombeya ramiovensis (Arènes) Appleq.
148. Dombeya ranofotsyensis Arènes
149. Dombeya rariflora Arènes
150. Dombeya ratovosonii Appleq. & Bosser
151. Dombeya reclinata Cordem.
152. Dombeya reginae Jacques
153. Dombeya repanda Baker
154. Dombeya rienanensis Appleq.
155. Dombeya rodriguesiana F.Friedmann
156. Dombeya rosacea Arènes
157. Dombeya roseiflora Arènes
158. Dombeya rottleroides Baill.
159. Dombeya rotunda Arènes
160. Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch.
161. Dombeya rubricuspis Arènes
162. Dombeya sahatavyensis Arènes
163. Dombeya sakamaliensis Arènes
164. Dombeya selinala Arènes
165. Dombeya sely Arènes
166. Dombeya seyrigiana Arènes
167. Dombeya shupangae K.Schum.
168. Dombeya sofiensis Arènes
169. Dombeya somanga Arènes
170. Dombeya spectabilis Bojer
171. Dombeya stipulacea Baill.
172. Dombeya suarezensis Arènes
173. Dombeya subsquamosa Hochr.
174. Dombeya subviscosa Hochr.
175. Dombeya tavia Arènes
176. Dombeya taylorii Baker f.
177. Dombeya tiliacea (Endl.) Planch.
178. Dombeya tomentosa Cav.
179. Dombeya torrida (J.F.Gmel.) Bamps
180. Dombeya tremuliformis Arènes
181. Dombeya trimorphotricha Arènes
182. Dombeya trohy Arènes
183. Dombeya tsaratananensis (Hochr.) Arènes
184. Dombeya tsiandrensis Arènes
185. Dombeya tsiapetrokensis Arènes
186. Dombeya tubulosoviscosa Hochr.
187. Dombeya tulearensis Arènes
188. Dombeya umbellata Cav.
189. Dombeya urschiana Arènes
190. Dombeya valou Baill.
191. Dombeya venosa Arènes
192. Dombeya viburniflora Bojer
193. Dombeya viburnifloropsis Arènes
194. Dombeya vohemarensis Appleq.
195. Dombeya wallichii (Lindl.) Benth. ex Baill. Plant FAQs: Dombeya Tropical Hydrangea – Dombeya Wallichii
196. Dombeya wittei De Wild. & Staner
197. Dombeya xiphosepala Baker
198. Dombeya xiphosepalopsis Arènes

The Allure of Dombeya Flowers

The flowers of Dombeya are their crowning glory. They often appear in clusters, creating a spectacular display of color. These pendant cymes, sometimes resembling hydrangeas or even snowball bushes, add a touch of elegance to any landscape. The individual flowers themselves are equally captivating, with their delicate petals and intricate stamens.

The colors of Dombeya flowers range from pure white to deep reds and purples. Some species even boast multicolored blossoms, adding to their visual appeal. The flowering season also varies, with some species blooming in spring and others in winter. This extended blooming period makes them a valuable addition to any garden, providing color and interest throughout the year.

Cultivating Dombeya

One of the things I appreciate about Dombeya is their relative ease of cultivation. They thrive in warm climates and prefer well-drained soil. While they appreciate regular watering, they are relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Pruning is also important to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth. This can be done after flowering, removing any dead or crossing branches. With proper care, Dombeya plants can live for many years, providing beauty and enjoyment for generations to come.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

Beyond their ornamental value, Dombeya species have played various roles in traditional medicine and local cultures. Some species are used for their timber, while others have fibrous bark used for making rope. This practical aspect adds another layer of appreciation for this versatile genus.

A Continuing Fascination

My journey with Dombeya continues. I’m always eager to learn more about these fascinating plants, from their botanical intricacies to their cultural significance. Whether I’m admiring their beauty in a botanical garden or researching their diverse uses, Dombeya never ceases to amaze me. They are a true testament to the wonders of the natural world.