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File:Chinese rain bell (60512).jpg
Strobilanthes cusia (Chinese rain bell)

Strobilanthes is a genus of about 350 species<ref name=Moylan2004>Template:Cite journal</ref> of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia. Many species are cultivated for their two-lipped, hooded flowers in shades of blue, pink, white and purple. Most are frost-tender and require protection in frost-prone areas.<ref name=RHSAZ>Template:Cite book</ref> The genus is most famed for its many (but not all) species which bloom on long cycles of several years, such as Strobilanthes wightii which blooms every thirteen years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

SpeciesEdit

File:Strobilanthes cernua Papandayan.jpg
Strobilanthes cernua (bubukuan) in Papandayan Mountain, West Java, Indonesia.

Strobilanthes atropurpurea is a temperate species, native to eastern Siberia; it is cultivated for its purple flowers.

Strobilanthes dyeriana (Persian shield) is a tropical plant native to Myanmar. It is grown for its dark green foliage with bright, metallic-purple stripes radiating outward from the central leaf vein. In proper conditions, it will also produce pale purple flowers. Persian Shield grows best outdoors in USDA zones 9 and 10, although it can survive in other zones as a houseplant given sufficient temperature, soil moisture and humidity. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Plants of the World Online currently includes:<ref name = POWO/> Template:Div col

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HerbivoryEdit

Strobilanthes species are food plants for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaracus, which has been recorded on S. callosa.

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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