| Iochroma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Iochroma fuchsioides | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Subfamily: | Solanoideae |
| Tribe: | Physaleae |
| Genus: | Iochroma Benth. |
| Species | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Iochroma is a genus of about 34 species ofshrubs and smalltrees belonging to the nightshade familySolanaceae. Species are native fromMexico to southBrazil.[1] They are found in the forests of Mexico andSouth America. Their hummingbird-pollinatedflowers are tubular or trumpet-shaped, and may be blue, purple, red, yellow, or white, becoming pulpyberries. The cupular (cup-shaped)calyx is inflated in some species. Theleaves are alternate, simple, and entire.[2][3]
Iochromas are cultivated as flowering ornamentals and in cooler zones (zones 7–8/9) make useful patio shrubs for summer display or conservatory plants. The majority are not frost-hardy and must be overwintered under protection. In warmer zones (zones 9–10) they can be used as landscape plants.[4] They are commonly trained as standards (topiary) to control their size and shape. Iochroma flowers attract hummingbirds (Americas only) and bees to gardens.
Like many plants in the Solanaceae,Iochroma species containphytochemicals with potential pharmaceutical value but the genus has not been exhaustively studied in this respect.Iochroma fuchsioides is taken by the medicine men of theKamsa Indians of theSibundoy valley in the ColombianAndes for difficult diagnoses, the unpleasant side effects lasting several days.[5] A variety ofwithanolides[6] and hydroxycinnamic acid amides[7] have been isolated fromIochroma species.
The genusIochroma was established byGeorge Bentham in 1845.[1] Like other plant families, the Solanaceae is further divided into subfamilies, tribes and subtribes.Iochroma is in the subtribe Iochrominae along with the generaDunalia,Eriolarynx,Saracha andVassobia.[2][3] As of February 2023[update],Acnistus, previously treated as a separate genus, was regarded as a synonym ofIochroma.[1]
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The genus is currently divided into three sections.[citation needed] As of February 2023[update],Plants of the World Online accepts the following species:[1]
SectionIochroma
SectionLehmannia
SectionSpinosa
Unclassified
Species formerly placed in the genusIochroma include:
Several forms ofIochroma (some wild collected, some garden hybrids) have been given cultivar names. Some of the cultivars have been assigned to species but others, mainly hybrids, have not. There may be some synonymy in this list.[10]
Constantine, D. R. (2008): Iochroma - an annotated list of the species and cultivars[1]