Carlowrightia is a genus of flowering plants in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae, within the order Lamiales. Members of the genus, commonly known as wrightworts, are mainly small shrubs bearing inflorescences of lily-like flowers. The genus comprises 27 accepted species native to the Americas, with a range extending from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to Ecuador, with many species concentrated in western North America. The genus was named in honour of the American botanist Charles Wright.
Etymology
The genus Carlowrightia was named in honour of Charles Wright (1811–1885), an American botanist and plant collector who made extensive collections in Texas, the southwestern United States, and Cuba.
Distribution
Carlowrightia species are native to the Americas, occurring from the southwestern United States southward through Mexico and Central America, with an outlying presence in Ecuador. Many species are native to western North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
Taxonomy Notes
Carlowrightia belongs to the family Acanthaceae (commonly known as the bear's breeches or acanthus family) within the order Lamiales. The genus comprises 27 accepted species, including well-known representatives such as Carlowrightia arizonica (Arizona wrightwort), C. mexicana (Mexican wrightwort), C. parviflora (Smallflower wrightwort), and C. serpyllifolia (Trans Pecos wrightwort). Many species were described or revised by botanist Thomas F. Daniel.
