Crossword puzzles are a fun and engaging way to challenge your mind and expand your knowledge. Clues in crosswords often make references to topics like geography, literature, pop culture, science, and more. When you come across a tricky or unfamiliar clue, it can be hard to figure out the answer. But with some deductive reasoning and a little background knowledge, you can work through even the toughest crossword puzzles.
In this article, we’ll break down the crossword clue “What is the genus of the devil in a bush?” step-by-step to help you understand how to approach similar types of clues. We’ll look at what a “genus” is, research some plants known as “devil in a bush,” and determine which genus they belong to. Let’s get started!
Understanding the Clue
First, we need to understand exactly what this crossword clue is asking. It mentions:
– The “genus” of something
– A “devil in a bush”
So we know we need to figure out what type of plant is known as a “devil in a bush” and identify what genus it belongs to. The genus is a taxonomic category used to classify living organisms. It is the level above species but below family. Knowing this helps give us direction in solving this clue.
Researching “Devil in a Bush”
Next, we’ll look into what plants are referred to as a “devil in a bush.” After some quick online research, we find there are a few contenders:
– Barleria prionitis – A spiny shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. Common names include porcupine flower and devil in a bush.
– Galvesia speciosa – A flowering plant from tropical America. Also known as devil in a bush.
– Codon royenii – A shrub native to Cuba and Jamaica. Referred to as devil in a bush or cabeza del viejo.
So there are at least three plants known as devil in a bush that could potentially be the answer. Now we need to find out which genus each one belongs to.
Identifying the Genus
To identify the genus, we’ll look up each of these plants in a reputable source like an encyclopedia or database. Here’s what we find:
| Plant | Genus |
| Barleria prionitis | Barleria |
| Galvesia speciosa | Galvesia |
| Codon royenii | Codon |
Now we can see that “Barleria” is the genus for the devil in a bush known as porcupine flower or Barleria prionitis.
Conclusion
To summarize, the crossword clue “What is the genus of the devil in a bush?” is asking us to identify the genus for a plant referred to as “devil in a bush.” By researching plants with that common name, we found that there were three potential candidates – Barleria prionitis, Galvesia speciosa, and Codon royenii. After looking up each one and determining their genus, we confirmed that “Barleria” is the genus of the devil in a bush known as porcupine flower or Barleria prionitis. So the answer to the crossword clue is “Barleria.”
Approaching tricky crossword clues systematically like this is an effective way to problem solve and arrive at the right solution. Defining unknown terms, researching relevant background information, and identifying the specific piece of information needed are key skills. With practice and persistence, even the most obscure crossword clues can be conquered!
Detailed Background Information
Now that we’ve solved the crossword clue, let’s go into some more depth about the relevant background information. This can help further explain the context around the clue and its answer.
What is a Genus?
A genus (plural: genera) is a taxonomic ranking used to classify living organisms. It sits between the family and species levels in the taxonomic hierarchy. Organisms that belong to the same genus share similar characteristics and are assumed to have a common evolutionary origin. They are often able to produce hybrid offspring.
Some key facts about genera:
- Genera are designated by a Latin name, often derived from Greek or Latin roots, frequently descriptive of a trait.
- The first letter of a genus name is capitalized when written.
- Related genera are grouped into families. Similar families make up an order.
- There are approximately 2,000 accepted plant genera and over 8,000 accepted animal genera.
- Well-known examples include Felis (the cat genus), Quercus (the oak genus), and Solanum (the nightshade genus).
Identifying the genus of an organism provides information about its ancestry, physiology, geographic range, and more. This can be useful in fields like biology, zoology, horticulture, ecology, and conservation.
About the Genus Barleria
Barleria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. It contains around 40-50 species, which are native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and northern Australasia. These are evergreen shrubs or small trees characterized by tubular flowers with protruding stamens.
Some notable facts about the Barleria genus:
- The genus was named after French botanist Jacques Barrelier.
- Species in this genus are commonly known as porcupine flowers or bush violets.
- Many have sharp spines on the stem and leaf veins, giving rise to names like “devil in a bush.”
- They are grown as ornamental plants for their colorful, bell-like flowers and attractive foliage.
- A few species, like B. prionitis, have medicinal uses in traditional folk medicine.
The spiky, vivid flowers of Barleria make them stand out. Identifying a mystery plant as part of this genus provides insight about its botany, origins, and uses.
About Barleria Prionitis
Barleria prionitis, the specific species referred to in the crossword clue, is a spiny, woody shrub native to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Some key facts:
- Common names include porcupine flower, katkaranja, vajradanti, and devil in a bush.
- It has bright yellow or orange flowers that bloom nearly year-round.
- The stems and leaves are covered in sharp, stiff spines up to 2 inches long.
- It grows in dry, sandy areas and is drought tolerant.
- Traditionally used to treat inflammation, fever, and rheumatism.
- Contains saponins, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals that may have medicinal effects.
The vivid, spiny flowers of B. prionitis explain why it earns names like “devil in a bush” across its native range. Identifying it as part of the Barleria genus indicates its relationships to other tubular-flowered, spiny species from similar tropical regions. Its traditional medicinal uses also provide insight into the compounds and properties contained in this plant.
Why This Question Works Well for Crosswords
Now that we’ve thoroughly explored the background behind this crossword clue, let’s discuss why it works so effectively as a crossword puzzle question:
- The question about identifying a genus requires general knowledge about taxonomy and plant biology, which aligns well with crossword subject matter.
- It includes an intriguing vernacular name – “devil in a bush” – that sparks curiosity and draws upon crossword solver’s research skills.
- There are multiple plants referred to as “devil in a bush”, making the answer less obvious without deeper investigation.
- The answer (“Barleria”) is a relatively short but lesser known word, appropriate for inclusion in a crossword puzzle grid.
- The context around devil in a bush plants is interesting and educational, providing solvers with an opportunity to learn something new.
Questions involving scientific categorization, research, and unique plants or animals work very well for crosswords. This genus question exemplifies a clue style that is challenging but fair, with an answer that is obscure yet guessable through deductive reasoning. The engaging context surrounding the clue and solution enhances the satisfaction of puzzling it out.
Tips for Solving Similar Crossword Clues
Based on this example, here are some helpful tips to use when trying to solve tricky crossword clues asking for a genus or other taxonomic name:
- Carefully parse the clue – are you looking for a genus specifically? Or could it be asking for a family, species, etc?
- For animals/plants you don’t recognize, consult references to identify what it is and narrow down what group/genus it belongs to.
- For unfamiliar “common” names, research what animals or plants they refer to. Several may share a common name.
- Think about word length, starting letters, and crossings to make logical guesses about the genus name.
- Look for genus names ending in “-sis,” “-derma,” “-phyllum,” etc for clues involving animals, plants, and other organisms.
- Don’t overthink! The genus is often the simplest specific identifier you can provide for an organism.
Making use of these tips and doing quick lookups can point you in the right direction when genus-related crossword clues have you stumped. With practice, you’ll start recognizing more scientific names and be able to puzzle them out more readily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we determined that the answer to the crossword clue “What is the genus of the devil in a bush?” is “Barleria.” This involved identifying three potential “devil in a bush” candidates, looking up their scientific names, and determining Barleria prionitis was the one referenced in the clue.
We explored background information about what a genus is, the key traits of the Barleria genus, and details on the spiny shrub B. prionitis. This provided helpful context about why this question works well for crosswords and how to approach similar clues asking for a genus name.
Crossword clues involving scientific terminology are challenging yet rewarding to solve. They enable you to build general knowledge and research skills. With strategic approaches to gathering information and making deductions, even the most obscure crossword puzzles can be mastered.
