calibrachoa
Calibrachoa Cerv.
A genus overview; characteristics vary between its species.
Calibrachoa is a South American genus named for Antonio de la Cal y Bracho, a Spanish-born Mexican botanist and pharmacologist. Its members were formerly placed in Petunia. Comparative research supports their separation using chromosome number, seed structure, leaf anatomy and the arrangement of petals in the bud. Flora of North America: CalibrachoaFregonezi and Freitas: Infrageneric classification of Calibrachoa
Botanical name
Kew accepts Calibrachoa Cerv.; the catalog’s Llave & Lex. citation refers to the publication authors rather than the author of this same genus. Kew POWO: Calibrachoa Cerv.Flora of North America: Calibrachoa
Recognizing the plant
Flora of North America describes annual or perennial herbs with branching, sprawling stems and fibrous or woody roots. The simple leaves have unbroken margins and usually alternate along the stem, becoming nearly opposite just below the flowers. Individual flowers arise from the leaf axils. Their corollas commonly open like funnels, and the calyx has five lobes. The North American treatment describes four fertile stamens with a smaller sterile filament. The mature fruit is a capsule containing numerous small seeds with a netted or pitted surface. Flora of North America: Calibrachoa
Native range
Kew places its native range from southeastern and southern Brazil into southern South America. Its diversity is especially concentrated in southern Brazil. Kew POWO: Calibrachoa Cerv.Flora of North America: Calibrachoa
Botanical sources
- Kew POWO: Calibrachoa Cerv.
- Flora of North America: Calibrachoa
- Fregonezi and Freitas: Infrageneric classification of Calibrachoa
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.