Browallia

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Browallia
Browallia speciosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Subfamily: Cestroideae
Tribe: Browallieae
Genus: Browallia
L.
Species

See text

Browallia is a small genus of seven species of flowering plants (mostly annuals though occasionally shrubs or ephemerophytes) belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae.[1] It is named after Johannes Browallius (1707–1755), also known as Johan Browall, a Swedish botanist, physician and bishop.[2] The genus is closely related to the monotypic genus Streptosolen, the single species of which was published initially under the name Browallia jamesonii.

Browallia species are found from southern Arizona in the north, southward through Mexico, Central America and the Antilles to andine South America, reaching as far south as Bolivia.[1]

Species

'At least 17 binomials, at the specific level, have been proposed for this difficult genus; no doubt that a critical sound treatment is badly needed to clarify its obscure taxonomy' - Armando Hunziker (2001)[1]

Use in Colombian folk medicine

The

molars to alleviate the pain of toothache.[4]

Gallery

  • Close-up of flowers of Browallia americana. Self-seeded, garden plant.
    Close-up of flowers of Browallia americana. Self-seeded, garden plant.
  • Flower and foliage of Browallia americana, wild plant, Costa Rica.
    Flower and foliage of Browallia americana, wild plant, Costa Rica.
  • Flower and buds of Browallia americana, in profile,showing pubescent corolla tube and sticky trichomes of calyces.
    Flower and buds of Browallia americana, in profile,showing pubescent corolla tube and sticky
    calyces
    .
  • Fruiting calyces of Browallia americana.
    Fruiting calyces of Browallia americana.
  • Browallia speciosa cultivar "Marine Bells". Cultivated plant.
    Browallia speciosa cultivar "Marine Bells". Cultivated plant.
  • Streptosolen : a monotypic genus closely related to the genus Browallia. S. jamesonii was formerly classified as a Browallia and is still sometimes known colloquially as "Orange Browallia".
    Streptosolen : a monotypic genus closely related to the genus Browallia. S. jamesonii was formerly classified as a Browallia and is still sometimes known colloquially as "Orange Browallia".

References

Further reading