Chirita

Chirita is an Old World genus of the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae, native to Indo-Malaysia, S. E. Asia, and southern China. In 2011, the species in the genus were reassigned to several genera, with the type species (C. urticifolia) assigned to the genus Henckelia (as H. urticifolia (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don.) A. Dietr.), so that Chirita became a synonym, no longer recognized.[1]

For the river in Romania, see Chirița.

Chirita
Chirita sinensis, now known as Primulina dryas
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Chirita
Buch.-Ham., 1825

About (80-)150 species were recognized, about 100 of which are endemic to China. Most of the species have showy tubular flowers with five, usually rounded, petal lobes and are becoming increasingly popular as houseplants in temperate regions, much like their cousins the African violets.

Chirita comes from a Nepalese common name for a gentian.

Taxonomic changes

The genus Chirita is no longer recognized, with many species transferred to the genera Primulina and Microchirita, and several more (including the type species) to Henckelia. However, the genus name is still commonly found in the horticultural literature, especially for the most commonly cultivated species, Chirita sinensis (now Primulina dryas).

General cultivation

Most can be grown in pots in warm (though some are known to tolerate colder conditions), humid conditions and can be propagated from seed (sown in the late winter) or by taking cuttings in the spring and summer.

Chirita sinensis[2] (Primulina dryas) and Chirita lavandulacea (lavender chirita),[3] now known as Microchirita lavandulacea[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).[5]

References
  1. Weber, A.; Middleton, D.J.; Forrest, A.; Kiew, R.; Lim, C.L.; Rafidah, A.R.; Sontag, S.; Triboun, P.; Wei, Y.-G.; Yao, T.L.; Möller, M. (2011). "Molecular systematics and remodelling of Chirita and associated genera (Gesneriaceae)". Taxon. 60 (3): 767–790. doi:10.1002/tax.603012.
  2. "RHS Plantfinder - Primulina dryas". Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  3. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2314
  4. "The Plant List". Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2018.


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