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The genus Otacanthus (family Scrophulariaceae) comprises six species that are distributed in east Brazil. They are half-shrubs with stems lignified at the basis, and opposite, lanceolate to obovate leaves; the inflorescence is a terminal spike of solitary flowers with a green calyx and blue to purple, bilabiate corolla with a white spot on the lower lip. All species possess ornamental value due to their showy flowers that last for several weeks, especially Otacanthus coeruleus Lind., which has the largest flowers (Fig. 1). This species originates from east Brazil, in the states Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo, where it is sometimes called incenso, which means incense. It is also found cultivated or naturalized in north Brazil and on the Mascarenes and Seychelles (Ronse 1993). It was cultivated as an ornamental in Belgium and France during the last century (Van Houtte 1862), and is now again being cultivated as a pot plant in several countries. It has also potential as a cut flower crop (Geertsen 1990). |
