- Achimenes
Taxobox
name = "Achimenes"
image_width = 225px
image_caption = "Achimenes erecta"
regnum =Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Lamiales
familia =Gesneriaceae
genus = "Achimenes"
genus_authority = Pers.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text."Achimenes" is a
genus of about 25 species of tropical and subtropicalrhizomatous perennialherb s in theflowering plant familyGesneriaceae . They have a multitude of common names such as Magic Flowers, Widow's Tears, Cupid's Bower, or Hot Water Plant. The plant's name comes from the Greek word meaning "suffer from cold."The genus is native to
North America (Mexico ) andCentral America , with one species ("A. erecta") occurring naturally in theWest Indies . The largest number of species is found in Mexico. Several species and hybrids are widely cultivated and naturalized outside their native range. A complete list of the species, with their synonyms and geographic distributions, can be found in the Smithsonian Institution's World Checklist of Gesneriaceae.Two species previously included in "Achimenes" are now classified in the segregation genus "
Eucodonia " and several phylogenetic studies have supported this separation.;Selected species
*"Achimenes cettoana" H.E. Moore
*"Achimenes dulcis" C.V. Morton
*"Achimenes erecta" (Lam.) H.P. Fuchs
*"Achimenes grandiflora" (Schiede) DC.
*"Achimenes heterophylla" (Mart.) DC.
*"Achimenes longiflora" DC.
*"Achimenes patens" Benth.Cultivation
"Achimenes" species and hybrids are commonly grown as greenhouse plants, or outdoors as bedding plants in subtropical regions. The species have been extensively hybridized, with many of the hybrids involving the large-flowered species "A. grandiflora" and "A. longiflora". Many of the species and their hybrids have large, brightly colored flowers and are cultivated as ornamental greenhouse and bedding plants. They are generally easy to grow as long as their basic requirements are met: a rich well-drained soil, bright indirect light, warmth, constant moisture, and high humidity. They have a winter dormancy and overwinter as scaly rhizomes, which should be kept dry until they sprout again in the spring. Some of the species and their hybrids are moderately hardy and can be grown outdoors year-round in zone 8, or even zone 7 with protection.
External links
* [http://www.botany.com/achimenes.html Botany.com: Achimenes]
* [http://www.gesneriads.ca/genach.htm "Achimenes", "Smithiantha", "Eucodonia" and related intergenerics] (from the [http://www.gesneriads.ca Gesneriad Reference Web] )
* [http://www.genera-gesneriaceae.at/genera/achimenes.htm "Achimenes"] (from [http://www.genera-gesneriaceae.at Genera of Gesneriaceae] )
* [http://persoon.si.edu/gesneriaceae/checklist World Checklist of Gesneriaceae]
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