Commemorating W.G. Rondelet (1507–66), French scholar, physician and specialist in fish and algae.

Shrubs and trees. Leaves opposite or in 3s. Flower clusters axillary or terminal, occasionally solitary, creamy white to yellow or pink. Calyx with 4-6 unequal lobes. Corolla funnel- or platter-shaped, with 4-6 spreading lobes. Stamens 4-6. Ovary with 2-3 chambers. Fruit a 2-chambered capsule.

Grown as R. amoena for the large, delicately coloured flowers and bold foliage. R. 'Splendens' is small and compact.

Softwood cuttings.

Fruit a capsule; ovules more than 1 per chamber.

About 130 species from the WIndies, Panama and S America.

Kirkbride (1969).

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rubiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.