| Loasa | |
|---|---|
| Loasa acerifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Cornales |
| Family: | Loasaceae |
| Genus: | Loasa Adans. |
| Species | |
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See text. | |
Loasa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae. The genus contains 24 species native to South America. Species of Loasa are prickly herbs or shrubs that have nettle-like stinging hairs. Some species of Loasa are grown as ornamental plants and are known as Chile nettle. Its flowers have five yellow petals covering united stamens and distinctive large coloured nectaries. Caiophora is a closely related genus that also has stinging hairs and is found on rocky slopes of the Andes.