Loasa

Loasa is a genus of flowering plants in the family Loasaceae. The genus contains about 100 species native to Central and South America. of which Loasa vulcanica is perhaps the best known. 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 Loasa vulcanica