Nematanthus | |
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Nematanthus nervosus, showing the foliage and distinctive "goldfish" flower. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Gesneriaceae |
Genus: |
Nematanthus Schrad. |
Nematanthus is a genus of flowering plants of the family Gesneriaceae. All of its species are endemic to Brazil. Compared to other gesneriads, Nematanthus has leaves that are small, succulent, and hard-surfaced. The plant has a trailing, branching, and spreading habit; it is generally an epiphyte in nature and a hanging-basket plant in cultivation.
The flower has petals fused into a pouch-like shape, with a small opening. The fancied resemblance of the flower to a goldfish gives the plant its common name, "goldfish plant."
Hummingbirds often will feed from the nectar-filled "goldfish" flowers.
Species include:
N. fissus
Nematanthus "Tropicana"