Salpiglossis is a small genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Cestroideae of the family Solanaceae (the nightshade family), placed in the order Solanales. It is closely allied to the genus Reyesia, and the two genera together constitute the tribe Salpiglossideae. The genus is native to South America — principally Chile and Argentina — with one species also recorded from Mexico.
Plants in the genus are noted for their large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, which are distinctively veined and come in a wide range of colours including purple, red, orange, yellow, and cream. The most widely cultivated species, Salpiglossis sinuata, typically reaches around 75 cm in height and is grown as an ornamental annual in temperate gardens worldwide. The genus name itself reflects this floral character: it combines the Greek σαλπινξ (salpinx, "trumpet") and γλώσσα (glossa, "tongue"), alluding to the shape of the flower.
Etymology
The name Salpiglossis is a compound of two Greek words: σαλπινξ (salpinx, meaning "trumpet") and γλώσσα (glossa, meaning "tongue"), referring to the distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers of the genus.
Distribution
Species of Salpiglossis are native to South America, primarily Chile and Argentina, with one species (S. spinescens) also occurring in Mexico. Salpiglossis sinuata is widely cultivated as an ornamental beyond its native range.
Cultivation
Salpiglossis sinuata is the primary cultivated species, grown as a half-hardy annual in temperate gardens for its large, vividly veined, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of purple, red, orange, yellow, and cream. It typically grows to around 75 cm tall.
