Carlowrightia
Encyclopedia
Carlowrightia is a genus of flowering plant
s in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae
. Members of the genus, commonly known as wrightworts, are mainly small shrub
s bearing inflorescence
s of lily-like flower
s. They are native to the Americas
, with many species found in western North America
. The genus was named for the American botanist Charles Wright
.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
s in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae
Acanthaceae
The family Acanthaceae is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing almost 250 genera and about 2500 species....
. Members of the genus, commonly known as wrightworts, are mainly small shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s bearing inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s of lily-like flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s. They are native to the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, with many species found in western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The genus was named for the American botanist Charles Wright
Charles Wright (botanist)
Charles Wright was an American botanist.Wright was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, the son of James Wright and Mary née Goodrich. He studied classics and mathematics at Yale, and in October 1835 moved to Natchez, Mississippi to tutor a plantation owner's family...
.
Selected species
- Carlowrightia arizonica A.GrayAsa Gray-References:*Asa Gray. Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.*Asa Gray. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.*Asa Gray. Plant Sciences. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001....
– Arizona Wrightwort - Carlowrightia cordifolia A.Gray
- Carlowrightia ecuadorianaCarlowrightia ecuadorianaCarlowrightia ecuadoriana is a species of plant in the Acanthaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-Source:* Delgado, T. & Pitman, N. 2003. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
T.F.Daniel & Wassh. - Carlowrightia fuertensis
- Carlowrightia linearifolia (Torr.) A.Gray – Heath Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia mexicana Henrickson & Daniel – Mexican Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia myriantha
- Carlowrightia parviflora (Buckl.) Wassh. – Smallflower Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia parvifolia Brandeg. – Littleleaf Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia serpyllifolia A.Gray – Trans Pecos Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia texana Henrickson & Daniel – Texas Wrightwort
- Carlowrightia torreyana Wassh. – Torrey's Wrightwort