Brunfelsia Calycina. C25

The genus Brunfelsia belongs to the Solanaceae family (of which the most famous plant is the potato) and includes species native to the hot, humid zones of tropical America and the West Indies.          

They are shrubby plants that can assume the size of real saplings, highly valued and cultivated for their flowers. The particularity that makes them so attractive is the fact that, in some species, the flower assumes many different colourings according to its stage of development: when it sprouts it is violet and gradually, as the days go by, it turns first lavender, then white.  

Brunfelsia is a semi-deciduous shrub, which produces beautiful flowers ranging from purple to white on the same plant and is cultivated for its aesthetic value.

Brunfelsia is a small evergreen shrub that can be grown in pots, characterised by highly coloured blossoms as, in many species, the flower changes colour according to its stage of development. 

This shrub, which belongs to the Solanaceae family, is fast growing and can be pruned to the desired shape and height.

Both leaves and branches can be affected after a frost.

They do not necessarily need pruning, just to keep them looking good and to maintain their size.

They can be propagated by cuttings from young twigs.

Brunfelsia calycina is native to the forest areas of Brazil and is a plant that does not grow to a remarkable size, not exceeding 70 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate, shiny, with smooth edges.       

The flowers, associated in inflorescences in the axil of the leaf or in the upper part of the branches, are large, of variable colour according to their stage of development, ranging from violet, to lavender, to white, up to 7 cm wide, giving a truly spectacular decorative effect.                                      

The plant flowers from spring onwards and throughout the summer and the flowers are very long-lasting.    

There are many varieties, including: B. calycina macrantha with lavender or purple flowers; B. calycina floribunda, a dwarf variety which flowers at the end of winter - beginning of spring.