Herbs annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial, chlorophyllous, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline, opposite. Inflorescences open, proximally dichasial or completely monochasial cymes; flowers pedicellate. Flowers 5-merous; calyx lobed nearly to base; corolla widely campanulate, glabrous, lobes 2+ times as long as tube, margins entire or inconspicuously erose, plicae between lobes absent; stamens inserted near middle of corolla tube; anthers distinct; ovary sessile; style proximally persistent, erect, distinct; stigma 2-lobed; nectariferous ring at base of ovary. Capsules compressed ovoid-ellipsoid. x = 18.

Distribution

United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, introduced in n South America and Pacific Islands (Guam), temperate to tropical areas.

Discussion

Species 1.

This showy-flowered genus is popular in horticulture, where it is often called lisianthus, that being an incorrect spelling of the name of a genus from which these plants have long been segregated. True Lisianthius P. Browne is a Central American and West Indian genus that is very different in appearance and doubtfully in cultivation.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Eustoma exaltatum