Lapageria

Chilean wax bell ( Lapageria rosea), the national flower of Chile.

The Chilean wax bell ( Lapageria rosea), also known as Chilean bellflower, is the only species of the monotypic genus of the family Lapageria Philesiaceae, which belongs to the order of the lily -like ( Liliales ). It is the national flower of Chile, in Chile it is called Copihue. Because the flowers are so decorative, diverse varieties were bred, which are maintained as ornamental plants.

• 5.1 Notes and references

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The Chilean wax bell is endemic to the temperate rainforests of Chile's west coast to about 41 degrees south latitude, in the " Valdivian forests ". Lapageria rosea thrives in very cool natural sites (but above freezing) always in the shade to partial shade.

Description

The Chilean wax bell grows as an evergreen liana, so perennial, woody climber. The change-constant leaves are simple, pointed oval, leathery and about 12 cm long.

The waxy, bell-shaped, bright red through pink to white ( depending on variety ) flowers are about 8 inches long and hanging. You have six (2 × 3) of the same shape, free bloom ( perianth ). Like all bird pollinated flowers they produce a lot of nectar in their six nectaries. The specific manner in which the nectar is stored in chambers are called Revolver bloom. The flowering period extends from mid-summer to autumn.

Are formed of soft fruits, these berries are edible.

Ecology

The pollinators are hummingbirds ( Trochilidae, such as Chile Hummingbird ( Sephanoides sephanoides ) or Riesengnom ( Patagona gigas) ). The "Revolver " mechanism requires that the hummingbirds fly when drinking nectar at the flower around that maximizes the pollination success.

Use

The yellow ripening, about a hen's egg -sized fruit is used raw or cooked. It contains a white, juicy pulp.

The Chilean wax bell with some varieties used as an ornamental plant:

Varieties (Selection)

• ' Nube Blanca "( White)
• 'White Cloud' (White)
• ' Hugletts Blush' ( light pink with white)
• ' Nash Court ' (red)

Swell

• Technical University of Darmstadt: pollination mechanism.