| Schizanthus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Schizanthus Ruiz & Pav. |
| Species | |
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See text. |
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Schizanthus ( /ˌskɨˈzænθəs/),[1]—common names butterfly flower, fringeflower, poor-man's-orchid—is a genus of plants in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family.
Many flowers have been compared to butterflies, but Schizanthus is the only one that has received the common name of "butterfly flower." The butterfly weed Asclepias and the butterfly bush Buddleja are named not because they resemble butterflies, but because they attract them.
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Schizanthus comprises 12 species of annuals and biennials, which make up the monospecific subfamily, Schizanthoideae. This subfamily is the most basal grouping in Solanaceae, and is therefore sister to all higher taxa of the family[2][3].
Schizanthus species are cultivated in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant for gardens.
The flowers of Schizanthus are available in a wide range of colors and sizes, and are delicately spotted and blotched like the smaller butterflies. The blooms on a well-grown plant are produced in such profusion as to completely cover it. For the garden the dwarfed varieties should be chosen as the tall sorts grow rather slender and crooked. The leaves are attractive with soft green, deeply cut and fern like that are often covered with fine hair.
This flower was used by Celia Sánchez in the Cuban Revolution to hide telegrams.