Achimenes

Achimenes /æˈkɪmɪniːz/[1] is a genus of about 25 species of tropical and subtropical rhizomatous perennial herbs in the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae. They have a multitude of common names such as magic flowers, widow's tears, Cupid's bower, or hot water plant.

Achimenes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Achimenes
Pers.
Species

See text

Etymology

According to some authorities, the plant's name may come from the Greek word cheimanos meaning "tender" or "sensitive to cold."[2]

Range and taxonomy

The genus is native to Mexico and Central America, with one species (A. erecta) occurring naturally in the West 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.

  • Achimenes cettoana in cultivation
    Achimenes cettoana in cultivation
  • Achimenes erecta in cultivation
    Achimenes erecta in cultivation
  • Achimenes longiflora in cultivation
    Achimenes longiflora in cultivation
  • Achimenes misera in cultivation
    Achimenes misera in cultivation
  • Achimenes patens 'Major' in cultivation
    Achimenes patens 'Major' in cultivation
  • Achimenes pedunculata in cultivation
    Achimenes pedunculata in cultivation
  • Achimenes skinneri in cultivation
    Achimenes skinneri in cultivation

Species

Species include:[3]

  • Achimenes admirabilis Wiehler
  • Achimenes antirrhina (DC.) C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes brevifolia C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes candida Lindl.
  • Achimenes cettoana H.E.Moore
  • Achimenes dulcis C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes elota Denham
  • Achimenes erecta (Lam.) H.P.Fuchs
  • Achimenes fimbriata Rose ex C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes flava C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes glabrata (Zucc.) Fitzg.
  • Achimenes grandiflora (Schiede) DC.
  • Achimenes heterophylla (Mart.) DC.
  • Achimenes hintoniana Ram.-Roa & L.E.Skog
  • Achimenes longiflora DC.
  • Achimenes mexicana (Seem.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Fritsch
  • Achimenes misera Lindl.
  • Achimenes nayaritensis L.E.Skog
  • Achimenes obscura C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes occidentalis C.V.Morton
  • Achimenes patens Benth.
  • Achimenes pedunculata Benth.
  • Achimenes × sanguinea (hort. ex Hanst.) Regel ex Hanst.
  • Achimenes skinneri Gordon ex Lindl.
  • Achimenes tincticoma D.L. Denham
  • Achimenes woodii C.V.Morton

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 on the acid side, 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.

In the UK, the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit:-

  • 'Ambroise Verschaffelt'[4]
  • 'Hilda Michelsen'[5]
  • × Achimenantha' Inferno'[6] (× Achimenantha is an intergeneric hybrid between Achimenes and Smithiantha)[7]

References
  1. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. Johnson, A.T. & Smith, H.A., Plant Names Simplifi Basic information with illustration of selected species. Ed. 2. http://www.genera-gesneriaceae.at
  3. The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved October 1, 2015
  4. "Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  5. "Achimenes 'Hilda Michelsen'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  6. "× Achimenantha 'Inferno'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  7. "× Achimenantha". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
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