Desfontainia is a genus of flowering plants placed currently in the family Columelliaceae, though formerly in Loganiaceae, Potaliaceae (now subsumed in Gentianaceae), or a family of its own, Desfontainiaceae. species 1. \n* Desfontainia fulgens D.Don - Chile, Argentina (Neuquén, Río Negro) 2. \n* Desfontainia spinosa Ruiz & Pav. - from Costa Rica to Chile + Argentina 3. \n* Desfontainia splendens Humb. & Bonpl. - from S Mexico to Bolivia Desfontainia was introduced into cultivation in Europe by William Lobb in 1843. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.