Sanchezia

Sanchezia
Sanchezia speciosa inflorescence
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Ruellieae
Genus: Sanchezia
Ruiz & Pav. (1794)
Species[1]

45, see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Ancylogyne Nees (1847)
  • Steirosanchezia Lindau (1904)
Closeup of two Sanchezia nobilis flowers
Pollen of Sanchezia sp
Red young branch of Sanchezia speciosa

Sanchezia is a genus of the plant family Acanthaceae. It contains 45 species.[1] Members of this genus are shrubs, rarely small trees or herbs, occurring in the lowlands of tropical South and Central America. A close relative is Suessenguthia, which looks quite similar.[2]

Because they have large, colorful bracts and flowers, and sometimes even colorful leaves, several species are cultivated as ornamental plants throughout the tropics and in botanical gardens of temperate areas. Examples for species well known from cultivation are S. nobilis, S. parvibracteata and S. speciosa. In some areas, ornamental species have become problematic as invasive weeds. On the other hand, S. lampra from Ecuador is almost extinct.

Sanchezia is named for José Sánchez, a nineteenth-century professor of botany at Cádiz, Spain.[3]

Species

45 species are accepted.[1]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d Sanchezia Ruiz & Pav. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ Leonard & Smith (1964)
  3. ^ Clay et al. (1987): p.242

References

  • Clay, Horace F.; Hubbard, James C. & Golt, Rick (1987): Tropical Shrubs. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-1128-3
  • Leonard, E.C. & Smith, L.B. (1964): Sanchezia and related American Acanthaceae. Rhodora 66: 313-343.
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