Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) • Earth.com

American brunfelsia

(Brunfelsia undulata)

galery
en

Description

The potato plant species is Brunfelsia undulata. This was first described by Olof Swartz. Brunfelsia undulata belongs to the genus Brunfelsia in the family Solanaceae. To date no tick has been listed under it by him. Brunfelsia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to subfamily Petunioideae of the nightshade family Solanaceae. The 50 or so species have been grouped into the three sections: Brunfelsia (circa 22 species), Franciscea (circa 18 species) and Guianenses (circa 6 species), which differ significantly in both distribution and characteristics, although molecular data have revealed that only two sections are natural (monophyletic), namely the Caribbean section Brunfelsia and a common section for all South American species. Linnaeus named the genus for the early German herbalist Otto Brunfels (1488–1534). Otto Brunfels, German theologian and botanist in whose honour the genus Brunfelsia is named. Common names for the genus include raintree, yesterday-today-tomorrow and lady of the night. Brunfelsia spp. are neotropical shrubs, small trees and (rarely) lianas. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and usually oval in shape. The large flowers have salverform corollas with five broad lobes and narrow tubes. Typical habitat for wild species is light woodland and thickets. Shrubs or small trees, without thorns. Leaves simple, entire and petiolate (stalked). Inflorescences in subterminal fascicles or flowers borne singly in leaf axils, often showy and sometimes also night-scented, zygomorphic; calyx campanulate, 5-lobed to approximately half its length; corolla hypocrateriform (having salver-shaped limb above narrow tube), 5-lobed; stamens 4, anthers oblong or elliptical, included and dehiscing longitudinally; ovary bilocular. Fruit a corky berry. The genus was described by French botanist and churchman Charles Plumier ex L. and published in Species Plantarum in the year 1753. The type species is Brunfelsia americana. Species in cultivation include Brunfelsia americana and Brunfelsia pauciflora. Brunfelsia australis is being actively promoted by growers for its tricolored blooms and drought resistance. As its specific name suggests, B. australis is the Brunfelsia species with the most southerly distribution, the plant occurring as far south as the Argentinian province of Buenos Aires.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum:
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Solanales
Family:Solanaceae
Genus:Brunfelsia
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