Asarina
Encyclopedia
Asarina is a genus comprising 16 species of strongly sprawling or twining perennials, native to Mexico
, southwestern USA, and southern Europe. Originally placed in the Scrophulariaceae
(figwort family), they have more recently been moved to the Plantaginaceae
(plantain family). Leaves are often triangular, toothed, downy and hairy with twining flower stalks. Flowers are attractive trumpet-shaped with broad green sepals and pale throat-spotted corolla in varying sizes, resemble snapdragons, and may be white, yellow, pink, purple, and shades in between. Some species are often placed in the genus Maurandya.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, southwestern USA, and southern Europe. Originally placed in the Scrophulariaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family, are a family of flowering plants. The plants are annual or perennial herbs with flowers with bilateral or rarely radial symmetry. Members of the Scrophulariaceae have a cosmopolitan distribution, with the majority found in temperate areas, including...
(figwort family), they have more recently been moved to the Plantaginaceae
Plantaginaceae
Plantaginaceae Juss. or plantain family, are a family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales. The type genus is Plantago L..In older classifications it used to be the only family of the order Plantaginales, but numerous phylogenetic studies, summarized by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, have...
(plantain family). Leaves are often triangular, toothed, downy and hairy with twining flower stalks. Flowers are attractive trumpet-shaped with broad green sepals and pale throat-spotted corolla in varying sizes, resemble snapdragons, and may be white, yellow, pink, purple, and shades in between. Some species are often placed in the genus Maurandya.
Cultivation
They are grown as annuals in cold climates but are longer lasting in warmer climates. They need a warm sheltered position in cool climates or can be grown in the conservatory. Grow in any reasonably fertile well-drained soil and water well in summer. Good for spilling over walls and banks. They prefer to be pruned in winter as they flower more heavily on new growth. New cultivars of this plant are regularly being released from North America and Europe. Propagate from seed and cuttings.Species
- Asarina antirrhinifolia
- Asarina barclaiana (syn. Maurandya barclayanaMaurandya barclayanaMaurandya barclayana is an ornamental plant in the Plantaginaceae family. This plant is cited in The movements and habits of climbing plants by Charles Darwin....
) - Asarina erubescens
- Asarina procumbens
- Asarina scandens