Hippobroma longiflora aka Madamfate

Hippobroma longiflora belongs to Campanulaceae, the bellflower family. It is a perennial: it lives for more than two years. It comes from Jamaica, an island in the Caribbean. Star of Bethlehem is one of its common names. Kew calls it a perennial or subshrub, a small woody plant. Useful Tropical Plants calls it a herbaceous perennial, with soft growth. The RHS gives two other names for the same species. These synonyms are Laurentia longiflora and Isotoma longiflora. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant reaches about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] in height. Its narrow leaves form a rosette, or ring, above the rootstock. Each leaf is about 0.33–0.49 feet [0.10–0.15 metres] long. The rootstock lasts as the plant grows from year to year. The account gives no mature width or growth rate. It gives no details about the bark or stems. The source shows photos of flowers but does not describe them. It gives no flower colour or bloom season. Nor does it describe the fruit.

This species grows in the wet tropics. In Jamaica, it grows on damp banks with some shelter. It also grows beside paths and along roadsides. These sites have clay soil over limestone. They lie at heights of roughly 197–2,657 feet [60–810 metres]. These are wild sites, not places with tested garden care. The evidence gives no firm guidance on light or watering for gardens. It gives no frost limit or hardiness zone. Its tropical range alone does not set either limit.

People sometimes grow this plant for its looks and medicinal use. They also gather wild plants for local medicine. Useful Tropical Plants says growers can raise it from seed. It gives no sowing method or time to sow. The species has spread beyond Jamaica through much of the tropics. It is now a widespread weed in those regions. This weed record matters when weighing its use in gardens. The sources name no pests or diseases.

The plant is strongly poisonous and has no known edible uses. Useful Tropical Plants notes its use for asthma in Brazil. That past use does not make it a safe home treatment. The account gives no safe dose or way to prepare it. It lists no uses beyond those given here.