Nierembergia (nieremberjia)

[NL. (Ruiz and Pavon, 1794), named after J. E. Nie remberg (1590-1663), a Jesuit and profe or of natural history at Madrid.] A genus of creeping spreading herbs of the order Solanaceæ and the tribe Salp i glo ideæ, known by its five exserted stamens attached to the apex of the slender corolla-tube. There are about 20 species, from South America to Texas. They have smooth undivided leaves and or solitary pedicels bearing pale-violet or whitish flowers, often with an ornamental border. Various species are in garden cultivation, sometimes called cup - flower. Among them are N. gracilis and N. rivularis, the latter having white flowers with yellow center, used in the decoration of graves.