Galphimia gracilis

Taxobox

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image_width = 220px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Malpighiaceae
genus = "Galphimia"
species = "G. gracilis"
binomial = "Galphimia gracilis"
binomial_authority = Bartl.

"Galphimia gracilis", a species in the genus "Galphimia" of the family Malpighiaceae, is native to eastern Mexico. It is widely cultivated in warm regions throughout the world, often under the common names gold shower or shower-of-gold or sometimes thryallis. In horticultural publications, in the nursery trade, and on websites, this species is commonly but mistakenly referred to as "Galphimia glauca", "Galphimia brasiliensis", "Thryallis glauca", "Thryallis gracilis", or (often in South America) "Thryallis brasiliensis".

"Galphimia gracilis" is easily told apart from the true "G. glauca" and "G. brasiliensis" by the flowers. In "G. gracilis" the petals fall as the fruit matures; in "G. glauca" the petals are persistent even in fruit. In "G. gracilis" many flowers of a dense inflorescence are open at one time, and the petals (claw and limb) are 8–14 mm long and 4–8 mm wide; in "G. brasiliensis" only 2 or 3 small flowers are open at one time on a sparse inflorescence, and the petals are only 4–5 mm long and ca. 3 mm wide.

External links and reference

* [http://herbarium.lsa.umich.edu/malpigh Malpighiaceae] Malpighiaceae - description, taxonomy, phylogeny, and nomenclature
* [http://herbarium.lsa.umich.edu/malpigh/GalClade/Galphimia/Gal1.html Galphimia]
*Anderson, C. 2007. Revision of "Galphimia" (Malpighiaceae). Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium 25: 1–82.

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