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December 4, 2009 : Loeselia mexicana
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Plant Family / Families: Polemoniaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Loeselia mexicana (Lam.) Brand
Name Location: near San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Thanks to retired UBC BG staff member David Tarrant for sending along today's photograph. Much appreciated! David also made suggestions for the written part of the entry, which I've incorporated below.
Loeselia mexicana (close-up image) is a woody perennial member of the phlox family. In Mexico, it is most commonly known as espinosilla. An English common name used is Mexican false calico. David writes that it is widely distributed locally to where he lives in the high central desert area of Mexico (Guanajuato and neighbouring Querétaro). Some reports mention that its range extends into Texas, but it is not shown in the USDA PLANTS database as occurring in the state (though Loeselia greggii is found there).
Folk medicinal use of this species by indigenous peoples as an antipyretic, antidiarrheal and antiseptic has led to modern research into its medicinal properties, e.g., Garcia et al. 2006. Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Four Selected Mexican Medicinal Plants. Pharmaceutical Biology. 44(4):297-300, with a conclusion of "the methanol extract from Loeselia mexicana showed the best antifungal activity against dermatophytes".
David also commented that "its normal blooming time ends with the last of the rains in October. However, many plants still continue to bloom long after their spiny foliage has faded and turned brown, and its scarlet flowers create a great food source for hummingbirds well into November and early December."
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at December 4, 2009 12:20 PM
Comments
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Posted by: Meg Bernstein at December 4, 2009 12:51 PM
Absolutely beautiful. Resembles our American trumpet vine.
Posted by: Alice Rogers at December 4, 2009 1:11 PM
So far this is my favorite botany photo of the day!
Posted by: Lori Rob at December 4, 2009 1:26 PM
Nothing like a hot orange flower to warm the heart in freezing cold Michigan! Thanks!
Posted by: Sue Vargas at December 4, 2009 1:39 PM
So beautiful! Can you find it in the States?
Posted by: Bet at December 4, 2009 5:14 PM
This lovely polemonium with red flowers used by hummingbirds, seems to be one of many such flowers from Mexico. In our garden we have Pineapple Sage also red flowered and blooming in late Sept until frost cuts in down in our Eugene OR garden. I would love to see more plants from Mexico. Eleanor
Posted by: Eleanor Ryan at December 4, 2009 7:27 PM
feliz navidad david tarrant
this flower looks so close to flowers
we have in florida thatthe hummers like
on the 2nd link one may click on the
icon top of the page to read in english
thank you all per usual
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at December 4, 2009 7:32 PM
Flowers are remarkably similar to Onagraceae's Epilobium (=Zauschneria), but this Polemoniaceae's leaf morphology is quite different from the former.
Interesting that they appear to be only distantly related - how is it that they have such similar flowers?
Posted by: Brent at December 7, 2009 8:36 AM
Brent - sounds like classic convergent evolution. Loeselia mexicana and Epilobium canum share overlapping and/or adjacent ranges, so it makes sense they would evolve similar pollinator attractant methods.
Posted by: Eric in SF at December 7, 2009 11:07 AM
This plant also looks very similar to Ipomopsis rubra (same family). Seasons Greetings David! Does it have malodorous foliage like Ipomopsis?
Posted by: Charles Tubesing at December 7, 2009 2:01 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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So pretty!!