''Eustoma'', commonly known as lisianthus or prairie gentian, is a small

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of plants in the gentian family. They are native to warm regions of the southern

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and northern

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. This genus is typically found in

grasslands A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge ( Cyperaceae) and rush ( Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes such as clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur ...

and in areas of

disturbed ground In ecology, a disturbance is a change in environmental conditions that causes a pronounced change in an ecosystem. Disturbances often act quickly and with great effect, to alter the physical structure or arrangement of biotic and abiotic element ...

Description

They are

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of ...

annual Annual may refer to: *Annual publication, periodical publications appearing regularly once per year **Yearbook **Literary annual *Annual plant *Annual report *Annual giving *Annual, Morocco, a settlement in northeastern Morocco *Annuals (band), a ...

s, growing to tall, with bluish green, slightly

succulent In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...

leaves A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, ...

and large funnel-shaped flowers growing on long straight stems: sometimes erect single stems, other times branching stems. The flowers can grow up to across and can be found in a variety of colors. They have been found in all shades of pink, purple, white, and blue. In addition, some are bicolored and some are occasionally found in yellow or carmine-red. ''Eustoma'' flowers are either single-flowered or double-flowered. Both types of flowers can be found in all ranges of the possible colors listed above."Lisianthus."
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Cornell University. Web. 4 Aug. 2020 They are usually tall, although there are dwarf varieties that only grow up to in height.

Taxonomy

''Eustoma'' (''YOO-sto-ma'') is a small genus, containing only two or three species. The genus name ''Eustoma'' is a compound of the Greek prefix εὐ- (''eu''-), "good, well", and Greek στόμα (''stóma''), "mouth", hence "(having a) pleasing mouth", while the obsolete ''Lisianthus'' is a compound of λισσός (''lissós''), "smooth", and ἄνθος (''ánthos''), "flower".

Cultivation

''Eustoma'' is a beautiful, high-end cut flower, but it is tricky to grow and requires some maintenance."Lisianthus"
Better Homes and Gardens. Better Homes and Gardens, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2012 It has tiny seeds that must be sown on the surface, not buried, and it must be planted in rich, well-drained soil and exposed to full sun. It must be kept moist but not overwatered: overwatering may result in the growth and development of fungal diseases. Careful control of temperature is necessary to prevent rosetting and cultivation under cover is recommended to prevent spotting on the petals. Lisianthus flowers will begin to bloom in early summer and some will continue to bloom throughout the later months of the summer. When cut, Lisianthus flowers can last anywhere from two to three weeks in a vase. ''

Eustoma russellianum ''Eustoma russellianum'' is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family. One of its previous binomial names was ''Eustoma grandiflorum''. Common names include showy prairie gentian, prairie gentian, Texas bluebells, Texas bluebell, bluebe ...

'' is particularly popular and has a number of

cultivar A cultivar is a kind of Horticulture, cultivated plant that people have selected for desired phenotypic trait, traits and which retains those traits when Plant propagation, propagated. Methods used to propagate cultivars include division, root a ...

s that are grown for the cut-flower market.

References

Growing Tips for Stunning Eustoma Flowers Blooms

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2346291 Flora of Northern America Gentianaceae Gentianaceae genera