The flowers of the godapara can reach 8 cm in size and have 5 beautifully shaped, white petals. The sepals have a greenish-yellow colour and the many stamens are coloured red and white. This combination makes the flowers beautiful to look at. They are followed after pollination by yellow-red fruits surrounded by the sepals. The fruits have many medicinal uses and the pulp from the fruits is also said to be good for stimulating hair growth. It is an up to 20-metre tall, rare tree from the lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. There, it grows mainly along streams and small rivers in the east of the island. The leaves have distinct veines and can grow about 20 cm tall.
When growing as a houseplant, ensure well-drained soil and a light location.
Sowing description: Soak seeds in water for 48 hours, then sow shallowly in sowing soil. Keep soil constantly slightly moist and allow to germinate at 25-30grC. Germination can follow as long as the seeds are hard.
Photo 1: Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
