99 Species in Genus Nasa

Nasa: A Plant Genus with a Stellar Name

As a plant enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the sheer diversity of the botanical world. From towering redwoods to delicate orchids, the plant kingdom never ceases to amaze me. But recently, I stumbled upon a genus that piqued my interest not just for its unique characteristics, but also for its rather unexpected name: Nasa.

Yes, you read that right. NASA, like the space agency.

Now, before you conjure up images of extraterrestrial flora or moon rocks sprouting leaves, let me clarify. Nasa is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Loasaceae family. These plants are primarily found in the mountainous regions of South America, with a couple of species venturing into Central America. They’re known for their often hairy or bristly leaves and their vibrant flowers, which come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, red, and white.

What truly captivated me about this genus, however, was the story behind its name. It’s not named after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as one might initially assume. Instead, “Nasa” is derived from a Quechua word meaning “nose,” likely referring to the protruding shape of the fruit in some species.

Imagine my excitement when I delved deeper into this genus and discovered the sheer number of species it encompasses. There are 99 recognized species of Nasa, each with its own unique features and adaptations. To give you a glimpse into this diverse group, here’s a list of 99 Nasa species:

Species in the Nasa Genus

1. Nasa aequatoriana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
2. Nasa amaluzensis (Weigend) Weigend
3. Nasa anderssonii Weigend
4. Nasa angeldiazioides T.Henning, R.H.Acuña, E.Rodr., García-Llatas & Weigend
5. Nasa argemonoides (Juss.) Weigend
6. Nasa aspiazui (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
7. Nasa asplundii Weigend
8. Nasa auca (Weigend) Weigend
9. Nasa basilica T.Henning & Weigend
10. Nasa bicornuta (Weigend) Weigend
11. Nasa callacallensis Weigend & E.Rodr.
12. Nasa campaniflora (Triana & Planch. ex Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
13. Nasa carnea (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
14. Nasa carunculata (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
15. Nasa chenopodiifolia (Desr.) Weigend
16. Nasa colanii Dostert & Weigend
17. Nasa connectans Weigend
18. Nasa contumazensis Weigend & E.Rodr.
19. Nasa cuatrecasasii Weigend
20. Nasa dillonii Weigend
21. Nasa dolichostemon (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
22. Nasa driessleae Weigend
23. Nasa dyeri (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
24. Nasa ferox Weigend
25. Nasa ferruginea (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
26. Nasa formosissima Weigend
27. Nasa glabra (Weigend) Weigend
28. Nasa glandulosissima Weigend
29. Nasa grandiflora (Desr.) Weigend
30. Nasa hastata (Killip) Weigend, T.Henning & R.H.Acuña
31. Nasa herzogii (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
32. Nasa hornii (Weigend) Weigend
33. Nasa humboldtiana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
34. Nasa insignis Weigend & E.Rodr.
35. Nasa jungiifolia (Weigend) Weigend
36. Nasa karsteniana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
37. Nasa kuelapensis Weigend
38. Nasa lambayequensis Weigend
39. Nasa laxa (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
40. Nasa lehmanniana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
41. Nasa lenta (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
42. Nasa limata (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
43. Nasa lindeniana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
44. Nasa longivalvis E.Rodr. & Weigend
45. Nasa loxensis (Kunth) Weigend
46. Nasa macrophylla (Urb. & Gilg) ined.
47. Nasa macrothyrsa (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
48. Nasa modesta Weigend
49. Nasa moroensis Weigend
50. Nasa nubicolorum Weigend
51. Nasa olmosiana (Gilg ex J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
52. Nasa orbicularis Weigend
53. Nasa otuzcensis Weigend & E.Rodr.
54. Nasa panamensis Weigend
55. Nasa pascoensis Weigend
56. Nasa peltata (Spruce ex Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
57. Nasa peltiphylla (Weigend) Weigend
58. Nasa perijensis (Weigend) Weigend
59. Nasa picta (Hook.) Molinari
60. Nasa pilovena Weigend
61. Nasa poissoniana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
62. Nasa pongalamesa Weigend
63. Nasa profundilobata (Werderm.) Weigend
64. Nasa profundiserrata Weigend
65. Nasa pteridophylla Weigend & Dostert
66. Nasa puma-chini (Weigend) Weigend
67. Nasa puracensis (Killip) Weigend
68. Nasa raimondii (Standl. & F.A.Barkley) Weigend
69. Nasa ramirezii (Weigend) Weigend
70. Nasa ranunculifolia (Kunth) Weigend
71. Nasa rubrastra (Weigend) Weigend
72. Nasa rudis (Benth.) R.H.Acuña & Weigend
73. Nasa rufipila Weigend
74. Nasa rugosa (Killip) Weigend
75. Nasa sagasteguii Weigend
76. Nasa sanagoranensis T.Henning, Weigend & A.Cano
77. Nasa sanchezii T.Henning & Weigend
78. Nasa santa-martae (Weigend) Weigend
79. Nasa schlimiana (Planch. & Linden) Weigend
80. Nasa solaria (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
81. Nasa solata (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
82. Nasa speciosa (Donn.Sm.) Weigend
83. Nasa stolonifera Weigend
84. Nasa stuebeliana (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
85. Nasa tabularis Weigend
86. Nasa tingomariensis (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
87. Nasa trianae (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
88. Nasa triphylla (Juss.) Weigend
89. Nasa tulipadiaboli T.Henning & Weigend
90. Nasa umbraculifera E.Rodr. & Weigend
91. Nasa urens (Jacq.) Weigend
92. Nasa urentivelutina Weigend
93. Nasa urubambensis T.Henning & Weigend
94. Nasa usquiliensis Weigend, T.Henning & C.Schneid.
95. Nasa vargasii (J.F.Macbr.) Weigend
96. Nasa venezuelensis (Steyerm.) Weigend
97. Nasa victorii Weigend
98. Nasa weberbaueri (Urb. & Gilg) Weigend
99. Nasa weigendii E.Rodr.

This list, while extensive, only scratches the surface of the diversity within the Nasa genus. Many species remain poorly understood, and new ones are still being discovered.

As I continue to explore the world of Nasa, I’m struck by the sense of wonder and curiosity it evokes. It’s a reminder that even in the most familiar of names, there lies a world of hidden beauty and complexity waiting to be uncovered. Who knows what other surprises the plant kingdom holds? I, for one, am eager to find out.