Browallia is a small genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, order Solanales. It comprises around seven species, most of which are annuals, though some grow as shrubs or ephemerophytes — short-lived perennial herbs that behave like annuals under certain conditions.
The genus is native to the Americas, ranging from southern Arizona southward through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands to Andean South America as far as Bolivia. Species typically bear tubular or funnel-shaped flowers in shades of blue, violet, or white, which has earned the most cultivated members common names such as "amethyst flower" and "bush-violet."
Browallia is closely related to Streptosolen, a monotypic genus whose sole species was originally described under the name Browallia jamesonii before being separated. The taxonomy of the group has long been considered problematic; botanist Armando Hunziker noted in 2001 that at least 17 binomials had been proposed at the specific level and that "a critical sound treatment is badly needed to clarify its obscure taxonomy."
The most widely cultivated species, Browallia speciosa, is grown as an ornamental for its profuse violet-blue flowers. Browallia americana, known as the Jamaican forget-me-not, and Browallia eludens, the Arizona or yellow bush-violet, are among the better-known wild members of the genus.
Etymology
The genus name Browallia honours Johannes Browallius (1707–1755), also known as Johan Browall — a Swedish botanist, physician, and Lutheran bishop who was a contemporary and correspondent of Carl Linnaeus.
Distribution
Browallia species are native to the Americas, occurring from southern Arizona in the north through Mexico, Central America, and the Antilles, continuing south along the Andes to Bolivia.
Taxonomy Notes
Browallia's taxonomy is complex and not yet fully resolved. At least 17 specific-level binomials have been proposed for the genus. Armando Hunziker (2001) remarked that "a critical sound treatment is badly needed to clarify its obscure taxonomy." The genus is closely allied to Streptosolen; the single species of that monotypic genus was first published under Browallia before being transferred. GBIF currently recognises 2 accepted species; the Wikipedia article lists 7.
Cultural Uses
Among the Ingano people of Mocoa in the Colombian department of Putumayo, leaves of Browallia speciosa are chewed to a pulp and packed around decaying molars as a traditional remedy for toothache.
