Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Gloxinia perennis

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Gesneriaceae

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Lamiales

Genus
  
Gloxinia

Gloxinia perennis httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Similar
  
Seemannia, Monopyle, Eucodonia, Diastema, Gesneria

Gloxinia perennis


Gloxinia perennis is a species of tropical rhizomatous herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the family Gesneriaceae. It is sometimes known as "Canterbury bells" (not to be confused with members of the genus Campanula, which go by the same name).

Contents

Etymology

The genus name commemorate Benjamin Peter Gloxin (1765-1795), a German physician and botanical writer. The Latin species name «perennis», meaning «perennial», was meant to distinguish it from the annual Martynia annua, as it was first placed in the genus Martynia.

Description

Gloxinia perennis has a raceme-like flowering stem. The flowers are showy, bell-shaped, nodding, pale purple or violet-lavender, mint-scented, about 4 cm long. The stem is erect, glabrous and reaches a height of about 60–120 cm. The leaves are opposite, glabrous and veined. The flowering period extended from mid Summer until early Fall. Fruits are ovoid to elliptical capsules, containing numerous minute seeds. This plant has scaly underground rhizomes.

Distribution

This species has a wide range in Central and South America, from Costa Rica up to Colombia, Brazil and Peru. It is primarily found in the Andes of South America, while it has probably escaped from cultivation in Central America and the West Indies. Its original range is unknown.

Habitat

Gloxinia perennis prefers shady and humid places and grows in forests, on rocks and river banks.

References

Gloxinia perennis Wikipedia