Strobilanthes
| Strobilanthes | |
|---|---|
|  | |
| Strobilanthes species, cultivated in Hawaii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae | 
| (unranked): | Angiosperms | 
| (unranked): | Eudicots | 
| (unranked): | Asterids | 
| Order: | Lamiales | 
| Family: | Acanthaceae | 
| Genus: | Strobilanthes Blume | 
| Species | |
| See text. | |
| Synonyms | |
| Adenacanthus Nees | |
Strobilanthes is a genus of about 350 species[1] of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia. Many species are cultivated for their 2-lipped, hooded flowers in shades of blue, pink, white and purple. Most are frost-tender and require protection in frost-prone areas.[2]
- Selected species
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Strobilanthes atropurpureus is a temperate species, native to eastern Siberia; it is cultivated for its purple flowers.
Strobilanthes dyeriana (Persian shield) is a tropical plant native to Myanmar. It is grown for its dark green foliage with bright, metallic-purple stripes radiating outward from the central leaf vein. In proper conditions, it will also produce pale purple flowers. Persian Shield grows best outdoors in USDA zones 9 and 10, although it can survive in other zones as a houseplant given sufficient temperature, soil moisture and humidity. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]
Strobilanthes species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaracus, which has been recorded on S. callosus.
References
- ↑ Moylan, Elizabeth C.; Bennett, Jonathan R.; Carine, Mark A.; Olmstead, Richard G.; Scotland, Robert W. (2004). "Phylogenetic relationships among Strobilanthes s.l. (Acanthaceae): evidence from ITS nrDNA, trnL-F cpDNA, and morphology" (PDF). American Journal of Botany (American Journal of Botany, Inc.) 91 (5): 724–735. doi:10.3732/ajb.91.5.724. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Strobilanthes dyeriana". Retrieved 5 July 2013.