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Columnea

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Columnea
Columnea crassifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Columnea
Plum. ex L. (1753)
Species[1]

216, see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Aponoa Raf. (1838)
  • Bucinella Wiehler (1977), nom. illeg.
  • Bucinellina Wiehler (1981)
  • Collandra Lem. (1847)
  • Dalbergaria Tussac (1808)
  • Eusynetra Raf. (1837)
  • Fluckigeria Rusby (1895)
  • Glycanthes Raf. (1838)
  • Hematophyla Raf. (1838)
  • Kohlerianthus Fritsch (1897)
  • Loboptera Colla (1849)
  • Ortholoma Hanst. (1854)
  • Pentadenia Hanst. (1854)
  • Pterygoloma Hanst. (1854)
  • Stenanthus Oerst. ex Hanst. (1854)
  • Stygnanthe Hanst. (1854)
  • Trichantha Hook. (1844)
  • Vireya Raf. (1814), nom. rej.

Columnea is a genus of around 200 species of epiphytic herbs and shrubs in the family Gesneriaceae, native to the tropics of the Americas and the Caribbean. The tubular or oddly shaped flowers are usually large and brightly colored – usually red, yellow, or orange – sometimes resembling a fish in shape. A common name is flying goldfish plants (see also the related Nematanthus) due to the unusual flower shape.

The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Latinized spelling of the name of the 16th-century Italian botanist Fabio Colonna (Latin: Fabius Columnus).[2][3]

The segregate genus Bucinellina is considered by many botanists a synonym of Columnea. A full list of the species now accepted in the genus, along with their synonyms, can be found at the World Checklist of Gesneriaceae.[4]

Cultivation

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Columnea species grow as epiphytic plants in the wild and require bright light, good air circulation, and a well-drained growing medium that is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. They are very tolerant of underpotting and seem to bloom best when potbound. Most are tropical plants and are easy to grow under indoor or greenhouse conditions but some species come from high altitudes and require cooler temperatures to grow well or bloom. Many of the species are seasonal bloomers, but hybrids and cultivars can be more or less continuously blooming.

The hybrid Columnea × banksii has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

Species

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Columnea consanguinea foliage
Columnea flexiflora inflorescence
Columnea glabra habitus
Columnea hirta habitus
Columnea microphylla flowers
Columnea purpurata habitus
Columnea orientandina fruit

216 species are accepted.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Columnea Plum. ex L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  2. ^ Anton Weber & Laurence E. Skog (July 13, 2007). "Columnea s.str. (sensu Wiehler 1983)". The Genera of Gesneriaceae. Basic information with illustration of selected species. Ed. 2. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  3. ^ Stearn, W.T. (2004). Botanical Latin (4th ed). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 283. ISBN 9780881926279.
  4. ^ L.E. Skog & J.K. Boggan (2007). "World Checklist of Gesneriaceae". Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  5. ^ "Columnea × banksii". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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