Columnea hirta explained

Columnea hirta is a species of flowering plants in the genus Columnea. They are endemic to Costa Rica and Panama but are widely cultivated as an ornamental.

Description

Columnea hirta grows to a maximum height of 3feet. Their trailing stems are covered with small red hairs. Their velvety leaves are dark green in color and ovate in shape. The profuse tubular flowers are orange to red-orange in color. They are 8cm (03inches) in length and bloom all throughout the year.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution and habitat

Columnea hirta is epiphytic. They are endemic to Costa Rica and Panama but are widely cultivated as an ornamental.^[3]

Taxonomy

Columnea hirta was first described by the German botanists Johann Friedrich Klotzsch and Johannes von Hanstein in 1865.^[4] It is classified under the genus Columnea of the family Gesneriaceae.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Columnea hirta. Cynthia McKenney. 2006. Interiorscape Plants PicturePages database. February 14, 2012.
2. Web site: Columnea hirta. 2001. Greenfingers Ltd. . February 14, 2012.
3. Web site: World Checklist of Gesneriaceae. L.E. Skog & J.K. Boggan. 2007. Department of BotanySmithsonian Institution. February 13, 2012.
4. Johannes von Hanstein. 1865. Die Gesneraceen des K. Herbariums und der Gärten zu Berlin, nebst monographischer Uehersicht der Familie im Ganzen. Linnaea. 34. 4. 403. German, Latin.
5. Web site: Columnea hirta. Laurence Skog. April 20, 2009. Tropicos.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. February 13, 2012.