| Loasa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Loasa vulcanica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Loasa Adans. |
| Species | |
See text. | |
Loasa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae. The genus contains about 100 species native to Central and South America. [1] [2] of which Loasa vulcanica is perhaps the best known. Species of Loasa are prickly herbs or shrubs that have nettle-like stinging hairs. [2] Some species of Loasa are grown as ornamental plants and are known as Chile nettle. [3] Its flowers have five yellow petals covering united stamens and distinctive large coloured nectaries. Caiophora is a closely related genus that also has stinging hairs and is found on rocky slopes of the Andes. [2]
