Skip the header
Open access
Datasheet
Enhanced
28 August 2014

Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant)

Datasheet Types: Tree, Documented species, Host plant

Abstract

This datasheet on Holmskioldia sanguinea covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name
Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz.
Preferred Common Name
Chinese hat plant
Other Scientific Names
Hastingia coccinea Sm.
Hastingia scandens Roxb.
Holmskioldia rubra Pers.
Holmskioldia sanguinea f. aurantica Yin Yin Kyi & DeFilipps
Holmskioldia sanguinea f. citrina Moldenke
Platunum rubrum A.Juss.
International Common Names
English
cup-and-saucer-plant
mandarin hat
Local Common Names
Cuba
farolito japonés
paragüita chino
Dominican Republic
paragüita chino
Haiti
bonnet chinois
chapeau chinois
India
arnam-amir
harelahara
harmuli
kharam leishok
wau-sau-laungi-araung
Jamaica
Chinese hat
Myanmar
hti-pan
parasol flower
saucer plant
Nepal
jhule phool
Puerto Rico
platillo
Sweden
mandarinhatt

Pictures

Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit. Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. January, 2007.
Flowering habit
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit. Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. January, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit. Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. January, 2007.
Flowering habit
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit. Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, USA. January, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); orange flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
Flowers
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); orange flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); close view of orange flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
Flowers
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); close view of orange flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); leaves. Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March, 2011.
Leaves
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); leaves. Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii, USA. March, 2011.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2011 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit, form citrina. Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. January, 2007.
Flowering habit
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit, form citrina. Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. January, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit, form citrina. Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. January, 2007.
Flowering habit
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); flowering habit, form citrina. Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. January, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); yellow flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
Flowers
Holmskioldia sanguinea (Chinese hat plant, cup and saucer plant, parasol flower); yellow flowers. Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, usa. October, 2007.
©Forest & Kim Starr-2007 - CC BY 3.0

Summary of Invasiveness

H. sanguinea is a climbing shrub currently considered a low risk species according to a risk assessment prepared by PIER (2014) and is not yet known to be invasive (Gilman, 1999). The species is woody and persistent, reproduces by cuttings, air layering, or seeds which are viable and can survive passage through the gut, and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions (Gilman, 1999; Whistler, 2000; Govaerts, 2014; PIER, 2014). However it is unlikely to spread as a contaminant of produce or soil, and its seeds are not adapted for wind dispersal and do not have thorns or burs to increase movement by hitchhiking (PIER, 2014). Monitoring, prevention and control of H. sanguinea is unnecessary at this time, but the species may pose a threat in the future as it continues to be intentionally spread for use as an ornamental.

Taxonomic Tree

This content is currently unavailable.

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The Lamiaceae, or mint family, is a family of herbs, shrubs, and trees comprising about 200 genera and 3,200 species, many with a long history of medicinal and food use, and characterized by their aromatic herbage, quadrangular stems, and verticillate inflorescences (University of Hawaii, 2014). This family includes some of the most well-known herbs including lavender, sage, basil, mint and oregano.

Holmskioldia currently includes only one accepted species, H. sanguinea (The Plant List, 2013). The genus is named for Danish scientist Theodor Holmskiold (Holm; Holmskjold) (1732-1794), a nobleman, botanist and physician (Stearn, 1992; Quattrocchi, 2012). H. sanguinea is an often cultivated ornamental plant and is named for its red, showy flowers. Its common names, Chinese hat plant and cup-and-saucer plant, are due to the shape of its flowers, a saucer-shaped calyx under a two-lipped funnel-shaped corolla.

Several species previously included in the genus Holmskioldia have been transferred to Karomia, a genus first described in 1932.

Plant Type

Vine / climber
Perennial
Seed propagated
Shrub
Vegetatively propagated
Woody

Description

Scandent or erect shrub, with numerous basal branches, attaining 2 m in length. Stems obtusely quadrangular or cylindrical, puberulent, grayish; stipules absent. Leaves opposite, 3-12 × 1.5-8.5 cm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous, the apex acuminate or acute, the base cuneate or truncate, the margins serrate; upper surface puberulent, dark green, dull; lower surface puberulent, pale green, with numerous dots, the venation prominent; petioles 8-30 mm long, puberulent. Inflorescences of racemes or less frequently panicles, axillary or terminal, up to 5cm long; bracts minute; pedicels 2.5-8 mm long, slender, glandular-pubescent. Calyx acetabuliform, orange, 1.6-2.2 cm in diameter, with minute dots; corolla hypocrateriform, crimson, 1.5-2.5 cm long; stamens slightly exserted, the filaments pink; ovary glabrous, the style as long as the filaments. Fruit globose, brown, verrucose. [Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005].

Distribution

H. sanguinea is native to the Eastern and Western Himalayan regions including Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India, and has been distributed around the world as an ornamental, with records of its cultivation in the Americas, Europe, Indo-China, Asia-Pacific, and southern Africa (Whistler, 2000; Glen, 2002; Govaerts, 2014; PIER, 2014; USDA-ARS, 2014). The species has been introduced to the West Indies including the Leeward and Windward Islands (Govaerts, 2014). 

Distribution Map

This content is currently unavailable.

Distribution Table

This content is currently unavailable.

History of Introduction and Spread

H. sanguinea is native to the Eastern and Western Himalayan regions but has been widely cultivated and naturalized throughout southern Asia, Mauritius, Indonesia and the West Indies (Whistler, 2000; PIER, 2014). The species was apparently imported to the UK around 1796 from China by way of Calcutta (Botanical Register, 1823; Jacques, 1833). In 1804 it was being promoted as an exotic, new, rare, and cultivation-worthy plant in Britain (Smith, 1804); in 1823 the Botanical Register credited the species’ introduction to the UK to Peter Good, and cited Retzius that the species was brought originally from China into the Botanic Garden at Calcutta, though it was “native of the interior parts of Bengal” (Botanical Register, 1823). Despite the early date of introduction to England, the species was not introduced to Parisian botanical gardens until years later (Jacques, 1833).

Date of the species’ introduction to the West Indies is uncertain. It may have occurred much later than its introduction to Europe, sometime in the early 1900s. Specimens were collected in Jamaica and Haiti in the 1920s (US Herbarium collections), but the species does not seem to be a well-known plant from this region and was not included in some major works around this time including Bello’s work on Puerto Rico (1881; 1883), Urban’s flora on the Antilles (Urban, 1898-1928), and Britton and Millspaugh’s work on the Bahamas (1920). Today the species is widely known as a cultivated garden plant or curiosity. 

Risk of Introduction

Risk of introduction for this species is currently low. In a risk assessment prepared for Hawaii, H. sanguinea received a low score of -1 (score greater than 6 = reject for import; likely to be major pest) (PIER, 2014). The species is woody and persistent and possesses several invasive traits, including its intentional and repeated introduction outside of its native range, propagation by cuttings, air layering, or seeds which are viable and can survive passage through the gut, and tolerance of a wide range of soil conditions (Gilman, 1999; Whistler, 2000; Govaerts, 2014; PIER, 2014). However, the species has a minimum regenerative time of 3 years, requires specialist pollinators, and is unlikely to spread as a contaminant of produce or soil. Its seeds are not adapted for wind dispersal and do not have thorns or burs to increase movement by hitchhiking (PIER, 2014). Considering these factors, although H. sanguinea is not known to be invasive (Gilman, 1999) and is not considered a high risk species, the species could pose a threat in the future.

Means of Movement and Dispersal

The seeds of this species have no means of attachment and are unlikely to be dispersed externally by animals, but they are encased in berries and can survive passage through the gut, as they are known to be dispersed by birds (PIER, 2014). Seeds are not adapted for wind dispersal.
H. sanguinea has been transported beyond its native range for use as an ornamental, and in the USA is used as a border and hedge plant (Gilman, 1999; USDA-ARS, 2014). H. sanguinea can regenerate by cuttings, trimmings and in garden waste which might result in the species’ escape from cultivation.

Pathway Causes

Pathway causeNotesLong distanceLocalReferences
Botanical gardens and zoos (pathway cause)Intentionally spread as an ornamental and botanical curiosityYes  
Garden waste disposal (pathway cause)Capable of regenerating by cuttingsYesYes
Hedges and windbreaks (pathway cause)Used as a border and hedge plantYesYes
Landscape improvement (pathway cause) YesYes
Medicinal use (pathway cause)  Yes
Ornamental purposes (pathway cause) YesYes

Pathway Vectors

Pathway vectorNotesLong distanceLocalReferences
Debris and waste associated with human activities (pathway vector)Grown as an ornamental: capable of regenerating from cuttingsYesYes
Host and vector organisms (pathway vector)Seeds reportedly dispersed by birdsYesYes
Machinery and equipment (pathway vector) YesYes

Habitat

H. sanguinea is a popular ornamental and is native to subtropical, submontane habitats (USDA-ARS, 2014). It occurs in the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Bangladesh (Flora of Pakistan, 2014). In the Himalayas, from Kumaun to Bhutan, the species has reportedly grown at elevations between 300-1500 m (Nepal Checklist, 2014). In Bolivia the species is found in lowlands, 0-500 m, and has been reported in rainforests (Bolivia Checklist, 2014). In Panama the species has been observed between 0-1000 m (Panama Checklist, 2014) and in Antioquia, Colombia the species occurs in submontane humid forests (Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2014). It has also been reported growing in coastal areas in Ecuador (Vascular Plants of Ecuador, 2014).

Habitat List

CategorySub categoryHabitatPresenceStatus
Terrestrial    
TerrestrialTerrestrial – ManagedCultivated / agricultural landPresent, no further detailsProductive/non-natural
TerrestrialTerrestrial – ManagedProtected agriculture (e.g. glasshouse production)Present, no further detailsProductive/non-natural
TerrestrialTerrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-naturalNatural forestsPresent, no further detailsHarmful (pest or invasive)
TerrestrialTerrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-naturalNatural forestsPresent, no further detailsNatural
TerrestrialTerrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-naturalNatural forestsPresent, no further detailsProductive/non-natural
Littoral Coastal areasPresent, no further detailsHarmful (pest or invasive)
Littoral Coastal areasPresent, no further detailsNatural
Littoral Coastal areasPresent, no further detailsProductive/non-natural

Biology and Ecology

Genetics

Gametophytic count = 16, 18; sporophytic count = 36 (IPCN chromosome Reports, 2014).
Environmental Requirements

H. sanguinea grows in part-shade/part sun in sand, loam, or clay-type soils, and has a soil tolerance range from acidic to slightly alkaline (Gilman, 1999). 

Climate

Climate typeDescriptionPreferred or toleratedRemarks
Af - Tropical rainforest climate> 60mm precipitation per monthPreferred 
Am - Tropical monsoon climateTropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25]))Preferred 
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer< 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25])Preferred 
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate< 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25])Preferred 
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summerWarm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summersTolerated 
Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winterWarm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters)Tolerated 

Soil Tolerances

Soil texture > light
Soil texture > medium
Soil texture > heavy
Soil reaction > acid
Soil reaction > neutral
Soil reaction > alkaline

List of Pests

This content is currently unavailable.

Impact: Economic

Although H. sanguinea poses a low risk of introduction and is not known to be invasive, it is grown as an ornamental and used as a hedge and border plant in cultivated areas. Its invasive characteristics, which include its woodiness and persistence, tolerance of various soil conditions, and ability to reproduce by cuttings, could cause minor disruption to agriculture or unwanted growth within home gardens (Gilman, 1999; Govaerts, 2014; PIER, 2014). The species could possibly be a fire hazard if allowed to grow unpruned, as it can accumulate dry canes (PIER, 2014).

Risk and Impact Factors

Invasiveness

Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
Tolerant of shade
Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
Reproduces asexually

Impact outcomes

Modification of fire regime
Negatively impacts agriculture

Likelihood of entry/control

Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately

Uses

H. sanguinea is cultivated as an ornamental and used as a border and hedge plant (Gilman, 1999; USDA-ARS, 2014). It is also reportedly used in traditional medicine. Crushed fresh leaves and shoots are applied in rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis; extracts of leaves and stembark are taken for dysentery, headaches, and high blood pressure, while leaves are boiled as part of a blood purifying concoction. Leaves and flowers are also believed to have magico-ritual significance, especially in treating children’s diseases (Quattrocchi, 2012).

Uses List

General > Ornamental
Environmental > Boundary, barrier or support
Environmental > Landscape improvement
Medicinal, pharmaceutical > Traditional/folklore
Ornamental > Potted plant

Prevention and Control

Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
H. sanguinea is not considered a high-risk or potential invasive species, but increased cultivation and introduction as a hedge plant could allow for accidental escape. Considering its lack of widespread popularity as an ornamental, however, monitoring of this particular species is not necessary at this time. A re-evaluation of the species’ distribution and risk is recommended in the future.

Links to Websites

NameURLComment
Check list of Myanmar Plantshttp://botany.si.edu/myanmar/ 
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gatewayhttps://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list.

References

Acevedo-Rodríguez P, Strong MT, 2005. Monocots and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, volume 52:415 pp.
Acevedo-Rodríguez P, Strong MT, 2012. Catalogue of the Seed Plants of the West Indies. Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, 98:1192 pp. Washington DC, USA: Smithsonian Institution. http://botany.si.edu/Antilles/WestIndies/catalog.htm
Bello D, 1883. [English title not available]. (Apuntes para la flora de Puerto Rico. Segunda parte. Monoclamídeas.) Anales de la Sociedad Española de Historia Natural, 12:103-130.
Bello Espinosa D, 1881. [English title not available]. (Apuntes para la flora de Puerto Rico. Primera parte.) Anal. Soc. Española de Hist. Nat, 10:231-304.
Bolivia Checklist, 2014. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Bolivia, Tropicos website. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://tropicos.org/NameSearch.aspx?projectid=13
Botanical Register, 1823. Botanical Register, Volume 9.
Britton NL, 1918. Flora of Bermuda. New York, USA: Charles Scribner's Sons. 585 pp.
Britton NL, Millspaugh CF, 1920. The Bahama Flora. New York, USA: NL Britton & CF Millspaugh.
Flora Mesoamericana, 2014. Flora Mesoamericana. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/Project/FM
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2014. Flora of China. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
Flora of Pakistan, 2014. Flora of Pakistan/Pakistan Plant Database (PPD). Tropicos website St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.tropicos.org/Project/Pakistan
Gilman EF, 1999. Holmskioldia sanguinea Fact Sheet FPS-256. http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/holsana.pdf
Glen HF, 2002. Cultivated plants of Southern Africa: botanical names, common names, origins, literature. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jacana Education, 435 pp.
Govaerts R, 2014. World Checklist of Lamiaceae. Richmond, London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
IPCN Chromosome Reports, 2014. Index to Plant Chromosome Numbers (IPCN), Tropicos website. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://tropicos.org/Project/IPCN
Jacques, 1833. Homlskioldea Retz. (Homlskioldea Retz.) In: Annales de flore et de pomone: ou journal des jardins et des champs. 1832-1833. 221-223. http://books.google.com/books?id=zeRIAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Kress WJ, Defilipps RA, Farr E, Kyi DYY, 2003. A checklist of the trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers of Myanmar. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, 45:1-590.
Nepal Checklist, 2014. Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=110
Panama Checklist, 2014. Flora of Panama Checklist, Tropicos website. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://tropicos.org/Project/PAC
PIER, 2014. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. Honolulu, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
Quattrocchi U, 2012. CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology [ed. by Quattrocchi, U.]. London, UK: CRC Press Inc., 3960 pp.
Smith JE, 1804. Exotic Botany: Consisting of Coloured Figures, and Scientific Descriptions, of Such New, Beautiful, or Rare Plants As Are Worthy of Cultivation in the Gardens of Britain. London, UK: R. Taylor and Co.
Stearn WT, 1992. Stearns dictionary of plant names for gardeners: A handbok on the origin and meaning of the botanical names of some cultivated plants. London, UK: Cassell.
The Plant List, 2013. The Plant List: a working list of all plant species. Version 1.1. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.theplantlist.org
University of Hawaii, 2014. Department of Botany Vascular Plant Family Access Page: Lamiaceae (Labiatae). Honolulu, USA: University of Hawaii. http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/lami.htm
Urban I, 1898-1928. Symbolae Antillanae: Seu fundamenta florae Indiae Occidentalis. Berolini, Germany: Fratres Borntraeger.
USDA-ARS, 2014. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx
USDA-NRCS, 2014. The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov/
Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2014. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of the Department of Antioquia (Colombia), Tropicos website. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://tropicos.org/Project/CV
Vascular Plants of Ecuador, 2014. Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador, Tropicos website. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://tropicos.org/Project/CE
Whistler WA, 2000. Tropical ornamentals. Portland, Oregon, USA: Timber Press.
Wunderlin RP, Hansen BF, 2014. Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

History

Published online: 28 August 2014

Language

English

Authors

Affiliations

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

VIEW ALL METRICS

SCITE_

Citations

Export citation

Select the format you want to export the citations of this publication.

EXPORT CITATIONS

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login Options

Restore your content access

Enter your email address to restore your content access:

Note: This functionality works only for purchases done as a guest. If you already have an account, log in to access the content to which you are entitled.

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share on social media

Related Articles

Skip the navigation