Mussaenda are members of the rubiaceae family, which also includes coffee trees. There are 259 species of mussaenda, also known as Bangkok Rose, flagbush, buddha's lamp, tropical dogwood, and virgin tree. The white flower is made of enlarged sepals, not bracts as is mistakenly assumed due to the superficial resemblance to the poinsettia. The plants have a rambling habit, and can grow into a very large shrub. They benefit from pruning in autumn.