Loasa | |
---|---|
Loasa vulcanica | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Cornales |
Family: | Loasaceae |
Genus: |
Loasa Adans. |
Species | |
See text. |
Loasa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae. The genus contains about 100 species native to Central and South America. [1] [2] Species of Loasa are prickly herbs or shrubs that have nettle-like stinging hairs. [2] Some species of Loasa are grown as ornamental plants and are known as Chile nettle. [3] Its flowers have five yellow petals covering united stamens and distinctive large coloured nectaries. Caiophora is a closely related genus that also has stinging hairs and is found on rocky slopes of the Andes. [2]