Paliavana
(said to be so called from Palhava, a seat of the Prince of Braganza, a patron of botany). SYNS. Codonophora, Prasanthea. ORD. Gesneraceae. A small genus (only two species) of stove, shrubby plants, natives of Brazil. Flowers large, solitary or fasciculate in the axils of the bracts, disposed in loose, terminal racemes; calyx campanulate, the base adnate to the ovary, the five lobes at length reflexed or deciduous; corolla (generally) greenish, loosely pubescent or densely silky-villous, with a funnel-shaped or almost campanulate tube, and an oblique, broadly five-lobed limb. Leaves opposite, rather thick, soft, crenate, villous; floral ones reduced to bracts. For culture of P. prasinata--the only species which has been introduced to our gardens--see Gesnera.
P. prasinata (greenish). fl. borne on axillary pedicels, which are two to four times shorter than the corolla, which is greenish, darkly dotted externally, and has an ample campanulate limb. May to July. l. opposite, oval-lanceolate or ovate, serrate, shortly petiolate, velvety beneath. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. 1818. (B. R. 428, under name of Gesnera prasinata.)