Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

Aphelandra

Aphelandra is a genus of over 200 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
426 w
Citations
6
Source
Aphelandra
Aphelandra squarrosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Acantheae
Genus: Aphelandra
R.Br. (1810)
Species1

206, see text

Synonyms1
  • Amathea Raf. (1838)
  • Aphelandrella Mildbr. (1926)
  • Aphelandros St.-Lag. (1880), orth. var.
  • Encephalosphaera Lindau (1904)
  • Geissomeria Lindl. (1827)
  • Hemisandra Scheidw. (1842)
  • Hemitome Nees (1847), not validly publ.
  • Hydromestus Scheidw. (1842)
  • Lagochilium Nees (1847)
  • Odontophyllum Sreem. (1977), nom. illeg.
  • Orophochilus Lindau (1897)
  • Poecilocnemis Mart. ex Nees (1847)
  • Rhombochlamys Lindau (1897)
  • Sreemadhavana Rauschert (1982)
  • Strobilorhachis Klotzsch (1839)
  • Synandra Schrad. (1821), nom. illeg.

Aphelandra is a genus of over 200 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas.

They are evergreen shrubs growing to 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall, with opposite, simple leaves 5–30 cm (2–12 in) long, often with white veins. The flowers are produced in dense spikes, with brightly coloured bracts.

Several species are grown as houseplants for their patterned leaves and brightly coloured inflorescences.

Pharmacological activity

Pharmacological reports on genus Aphelandra are Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity and Immunomodulatory activity.2

Phytochemistry

Phytochemical reports on genus Aphelandra are Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Isoflavones, Benzoxazinoids-cyclic hydroxamic acid and their corresponding glucosides.2

Selected species

206 species are accepted. They include:1

Aphelandra sinclairiana source ↗
References

References

  1. Aphelandra R.Br. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  2. Awan, A.J., Aslam, M.S (2014). "FAMILY ACANTHACEAE AND GENUS APHELANDRA: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL REVIEW". International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 6 (10): 44–55.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Aphelandra aurantiaca". Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2008-11-08.