Posoqueria longiflora

Posoqueria longiflora, also known as needle flower tree^[3] or needle flower^[4][5] is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae^[6] native to subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest^[1] of Northern South America.^[7]

Posoqueria longiflora is a 2–5 m tall shrub or tree^[6] bearing lanceolate, acuminate leaves with a wavy leaf margin.^[8]

The pendent, elegant, terminal inflorescences^[8] bear fragrant,^[9] nectariferous,^[4] sphingophilous,^[4][9] tubular,^[8] pure white, flowers 28–35 cm (rarely to 38 cm) long,^[10] while not over 2 mm diameter.^[11] The five petals^[4] are reflexed.^[4][8] The yellow^[12] or orange fruit has five linear, pointed, leathery, persistent sepals.^[13]

It was described by Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet in 1775.^[14] It is the type species of its genus.^[7]

The specific epithet longiflora means having long flowers.^[15]

It is pollinated by a sphinx moth.^[4][9] When a sphinx moth inserts its proboscis into the flower, it touches a trigger mechanism which causes the four lateral stamens (two pairs) to move away from the center, while the middle stamen lunges forward like a catapult coating the lower surface of the moth with pollen^[16] to pollinate the stigma of the next flower visited. The role of the lateral stamens remains unclear.

The fruit is eaten by fish.^[9]

The fruit is edible^[7][9] and sweet.^[17] It is used as bait for fishing.^[9]