Mexican plants of the genus Pinguicula, a group of horticultural interest

Abstract

The genus Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) has gone practically unnoticed among Mexican horticulturists; however, in Europe it has been cultivated for more than a century. These are herbaceous plants which, because of their small size, showy flowers, and their adaptation to shade, are very attractive as indoor plants. The genus consists of 70 species widely distributed in temperate zonas of the northern hemisphere. In Mexico, there are 33 species, reason for which it is considered the main center of diversification and evolution. Some species of Pinguicula are easy to grow, since they require little soil and can be grown in shallow pots. These include P. moranensis, P. esseriana, P. ehlersae, P. gypsicola and P. reticulata. However, other species cannot stand the cultivated conditions and die easily. Among these are P. crenatiloba, P. gracilis and P. oblongiloba.