| Aeschynanthus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aeschynanthus pulcher with unopened buds emerging from calyces | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Gesneriaceae |
| Subfamily: | Didymocarpoideae |
| Genus: | Aeschynanthus Jack (1823) |
| Species [1] | |
185; see text | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Aeschynanthus is a genus of about 150 species of evergreen subtropical and tropical plants in the family Gesneriaceae. They are usually trailing epiphytes with brightly colored flowers that are pollinated by sunbirds. The genus name comes from a contraction of aischuno (to be ashamed) and anthos (flower). [2] The common name for some species is lipstick plant, which comes from the appearance of the developing buds emerging from the calyces.
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The genus contains a large variety of plants with differing features. Some have thick, waxy cuticles while others have much softer leaves. Species such as A. speciosus are large where A. micranthus is much smaller and trailing. Several species are valued in temperate climates as houseplants, notably A. longicaulis , A. pulcher and A. radicans . [3]
