Sanchezia

Sanchezia is a genus of the plant family Acanthaceae. It is estimated to contain about 20 to 50 species. Members of this genus are shrubs, rarely small trees or herbs, occurring in the lowlands of tropical South and Central America. A close relative is Suessenguthia, which looks quite similar.[1]

Sanchezia
Sanchezia speciosa inflorescence
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Ruellieae
Genus: Sanchezia
Ruiz & Pav.
Species

20-50, see text

Closeup of two Sanchezia nobilis flowers
Red young branch of Sanchezia speciosa

Because they have large, colorful bracts and flowers, and sometimes even colorful leaves, several species are cultivated as ornamental plants throughout the tropics and in botanical gardens of temperate areas. Examples for species well known from cultivation are S. nobilis, S. parvibracteata and S. speciosa. In some areas, ornamental species have become problematic as invasive weeds. On the other hand, S. lampra from Ecuador is almost extinct.

Sanchezia is named for José Sanchez, a nineteenth-century professor of botany at Cadiz, Spain.[2]

Selected species

Footnotes
  1. Leonard & Smith (1964)
  2. Clay et al. (1987): p.242
  3. John H. Wiersema; Blanca León (20 March 2013). World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference, Second Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4665-7681-0.:612
  4. "33010". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

References
  • Clay, Horace F.; Hubbard, James C. & Golt, Rick (1987): Tropical Shrubs. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-1128-3
  • Leonard, E.C. & Smith, L.B. (1964): Sanchezia and related American Acanthaceae. Rhodora 66: 313-343.
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