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Lapageria rosea #1

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Philesiaceae - Chile

Chilean Bellflower, Chilean Glory Flower, Copihue

National flower of Chile

Shown: Cluster of the pendulous, heavy-textured flowers; flowers approx. 8-9 cm in length

 

"The Copihue (co-pee-way) (Lapageria rosea), also known as the Chilean Bellflower and Lapageria, is the national flower of Chile. It grows in forests in the southern part of Chile, being part of the Valdivian flora. It is the only species in the genus Lapageria. It is an evergreen climbing plant reaching over 10 m high among shrubs and trees. Leaves are arranged alternately and are evergreen, leathery, lanceolate and feature three to seven prominent parallel veins. The vines twine counterclockwise. The flowers are red spotted with white, there are six thick, waxy tepals; and they are most frequently produced in late summer and fall, although they may be produced at other times. The fruit is an elongate berry with a tough skin containing numerous small seeds about the size of a tomato seed, and are covered in an edible fleshy aril. In the wild the plant is pollinated by hummingbirds. Seed is distributed by birds and other animals." (Wikipedia)

 

Details of natural range and cultural requirements:

www.chileflora.com/Florachilena/FloraEnglish/HighResPages...

 

Additional view:

farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2920072671_2c92108fea_b.jpg

 

Photographed in U.C. Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Berkeley, California

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Uploaded on November 20, 2009
Taken on November 18, 2009