Bomarea
A group of climbing and upright flowering plants from the American tropics
Bomarea is a genus of flowering plants in the Alstroemeriaceae family, mainly found in the Andes and stretching into Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. These plants are grown for their attractive flowers and are often seen in gardens, but some species have become invasive outside their native range.
- Bomarea includes over 110 species of flowering plants
- Most species grow in the Andes and nearby regions
- Some Bomarea are popular as ornamental garden plants
- Birds pollinate the flowers, and animals spread the seeds
- Bomarea is invasive in New Zealand
What does Bomarea look like?
Bomarea includes about 110 to 122 species of flowering plants. They can grow upright or climb, and are usually found as herbs. The leaves twist at the base, a feature known as resupination. Their flowers are shaped like bells or funnels and have separate petals and sepals, which are called tepals. The flowers contain both male and female parts.
Where does Bomarea come from?
Most Bomarea species are native to the shaded understory of tropical forests in the Andes, but their range extends north into Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. The genus was first described in 1802 by Charles-François Brisseau de Mirbel. Its name honours the French naturalist Jacques Christophe Valmont de Bomare. Bomarea is split into four main groups, with the largest containing about 70 species.
When and how Bomarea blooms
Bomarea plants grow best in the shade of tropical forests. They can be found as either upright or climbing herbs. These plants are sometimes cultivated for their decorative flowers. Their flowers are adapted for pollination by birds, and animals help spread their seeds.
How Bomarea is used
Some Bomarea species are grown in gardens for their showy flowers. Outside their native range, such as in New Zealand, certain species have escaped cultivation and become invasive. In their natural habitat, they are part of the forest understory and contribute to the local ecosystem.
Kinds of Bomarea
The genus Bomarea is divided into four groups, each with its own set of species. The largest group contains about 70 species. The full genus includes between 110 and 122 species, with Bomarea ovata chosen as the type specimen.
What Bomarea means
Bomarea does not have widely recorded symbolic meanings or uses in religious or national traditions. Its main significance is botanical, as a diverse genus named after a French naturalist. Some species are valued in horticulture, while others are noted for their impact as invasive plants in places like New Zealand.
Questions people ask about Bomarea
Where does Bomarea come from?
Bomarea species are native to the Andes, with their range stretching into Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. They thrive in the shaded understory of tropical forests.
What does a Bomarea plant look like?
Bomarea plants can be upright or climbing herbs. They have leaves that twist at the base and produce bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers with separate petals and sepals.
How are Bomarea plants used?
Some species are grown in gardens for their attractive flowers. In certain regions outside their native range, such as New Zealand, they have become invasive.
How are Bomarea flowers pollinated?
The flowers are adapted for pollination by birds, and their seeds are dispersed by animals in their natural habitat.
Does Bomarea have any special cultural meaning?
There are no widely recorded symbolic or religious meanings for Bomarea. The genus is mainly known for its botanical diversity and as a garden plant.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bomarea", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
