Angelonia is a genus of about 30 species which occur from Mexico to Argentina and is classified in the Plantaginaceae. They are herbaceous plants occurring mainly in arid and semi-arid habitats. Most Angelonia species can be found in Northeastern Brazil in the seasonally-dry tropical forest namely Caatinga.[1] The flowers of Angelonia are highly specialized for pollination because they have hairs in the inner corolla, which produces oils collected by oil bee pollinators, especially of the genus Centris.[2]
Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants for their snapdragon-like flowers, but need warm temperatures and large amounts of sunlight.[3] Garden varieties are mainly cultivars of A. angustifolia.
29 species are accepted.