Lapageria
| Lapageria | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Philesiaceae |
| Genus: | Lapageria Ruiz & Pav. |
| Species: | L. rosea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lapageria rosea Ruiz & Pav.
| |
| Distribution area of Lapageria rosea | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Lapageria is a genus of flowering plants with only one known species, Lapageria rosea, commonly known as Chilean bellflower or copihue (Spanish pronunciation: [ko'piwe], from Mapudungun kopiwe). Lapageria rosea is endemic to Chile and it is the national flower of this country. It grows in forests in the southern part of Chile, being part of the Valdivian temperate rainforests ecoregion flora.
Although the IUCN has not evaluated its conservation status, Lapageria rosea was officially declared "in serious danger of extinction" by the Chilean government in 1971. The copihue, which has inspired Mapuche legends and has been celebrated in both Chilean literature and music, was officially declared the national flower of Chile on February 24, 1977.