Bouvardia | |
---|---|
Bouvardia ternifolia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Rubiaceae |
Subfamily: | Rubioideae |
Tribe: | Spermacoceae |
Genus: | Bouvardia Salisb. |
Type species | |
Bouvardia ternifolia | |
Synonyms | |
|
Bouvardia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. [1] It contains about 50 species of evergreen herbs and shrubs native to Mexico and Central America, [1] with one species extending into the southwestern United States ( B. ternifolia , in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas). [2] The genus is named in honor of Charles Bouvard (1572–1658), physician to Louis XIII, and superintendent of the Jardin du Roi in Paris. [3]
In the language of flowers, Bouvardia symbolize enthusiasm. [4]
They grow to 0.6–1.5 m tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3-5, ovate to lanceolate, 3–11 cm long. The flowers are in terminal, generally many-flowered clusters; the corolla has a large tube and four spreading lobes; flower colour ranges varies between species, with white, yellow, pink, and red all found. [5] [6] [7]
Several species of Bouvardia are grown as ornamental plants, both in the tropics and indoors as houseplants in temperate regions. Several cultivars and hybrids have been selected. When grown as houseplants, a minimum winter temperature of 7 °C is required, with a minimum of 12 °C while in flower. Propagation of the cultivars is by cuttings taken in late spring or summer, which need to be kept at a temperature of 20 °C by night and 25 °C during the day, and shaded when required. [8]
Coccocypselum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and South America. All species of the genus Coccocypselum are herbaceous with fleshy, blue or purple fruits, and 4-petaled flowers.
Balmea is a monospecific genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae containing the single species Balmea stormiae. It is native to El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. It is locally known as ayuque. It is conical in shape and used as a Christmas tree in parts of Mexico. Because populations are depleted by this overharvest, this species is threatened with extinction.
Pseudogynoxys is a genus of flowering plant in the groundsel tribe within the sunflower family, native to North and South America.
Arachnothryx is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It contains about 107 species. It is found from Mexico to Peru and in Trinidad.
Guettarda is a plant genus in the family Rubiaceae. Most of these plants are known by the common name velvetseed.
Rondeletia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is endemic to the Neotropics. There are around 160 species.
Pittocaulon is a genus of Mexican shrubs and small trees in the tribe Senecioneae within the family Asteraceae.
Citharexylum is a genus of flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. It contains shrub and tree species commonly known as fiddlewoods or zitherwoods. They are native to the Americas, ranging from southern Florida and Texas in the United States to Argentina. The highest diversity occurs in Mexico and the Andes. The generic name is derived from the Greek words κιθάρα (kithara), meaning "lyre", and ξύλον (xylon), meaning "wood," referring to the use of the wood in the sounding boards of string instruments. Several species, especially C. caudatum and C. spinosum, are cultivated as ornamentals.
Lepidonia is a genus of Mesoamerican flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.
Arcytophyllum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus contains 18 species, distributed from New Mexico to Bolivia.
Guettardeae is a tribe of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae and contains about 748 species in 14 genera. Its representatives are widespread geographically and are found in the tropics and subtropics.
Crusea is a genus of angiosperms in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is found in the south-western United States, Mexico, and Central America. A few species are naturalized in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Deppea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus is found in Mexico, Central America and from Brazil to northeastern Argentina.
Bouvardia ternifolia, the firecracker bush, is a shrub widespread across much of Mexico, the range extending south into Honduras and north into the southwestern United States.
Cunila is a genus of plants in the Lamiaceae, first described in 1759. It is native to North and South America.
Spermacoceae is a tribe of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae and contains about 1346 species in 57 genera. Its representatives are found in the tropics and subtropics.
Mitracarpus is a plant genus in the coffee family Rubiaceae. Girdlepod is a common name for some species in this genus.