Solenophora
(from solen, a tube, and pherein, to bear; in allusion to the tubular form of the corolla). Including Arctocalyx. ORD. Gesneraceae. A small genus (four species) of stove, evergreen, branched, scabrous-pubescent shrubs, confined to Mexico. Flowers scarlet or yellow, large, solitary or few, on short, axillary peduncles; calyx tube adnate, the limb five-lobed; corolla tube elongated, with a broad throat, the limb shortly and broadly five-lobed, sub-erect. Leaves opposite, on long petioles, ample, membranous, often dissimilar. S. Endlicheriana, the only species introduced, is a handsome plant, requiring culture similar to Gloxinia (which see). S. Endlicheriana (Endlicher's). fl. of a beautiful orange-colour, marked with purple, solitary or in fascicles of two to five; corolla infundibular-campanulate, hairy without, loosely curved, 2 1/2in. to 3in. long. April. l. much spreading, broadly elliptic, acuminate, hairy, the largest 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long; petioles 3in. to 4in. long. Stem suffruticose, erect, purplish, 1ft. to 2ft. high, emitting aerial roots. 1849. (F. d. S. 546 and L. & P. F. G. i. 69, under name of Arctocalyx Endlicherianus.)