Loasa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae. The genus contains about 100 species native to Central and 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.

Selected Species

Loasa acanthifolia

Loasa acerifolia

Loasa argentina

Loasa arnottiana

Loasa caespitosa

Loasa elongata

Loasa elongata

Loasa filicifolia

Loasa floribunda

Loasa hastata

Loasa heterophylla

Loasa humilis

Loasa illapelina

Loasa incurva

Loasa insons

Loasa mollensis

Loasa multifida

Loasa nitida

Loasa pallida

Loasa paradoxa

Loasa placei

Loasa prostrata

Loasa sclareifolia

Loasa sigmoidea

Loasa tricolor

Loasa triloba

Loasa unguiculata

References

Loasaceae

Cornales genera

Loasa