Dicliptera tweedieana f. flavifloraStuck. ex Seckt (1930)
Dicliptera tweedieana var. microphyllaNees (1847)
Jacobinia suberectaAndré (1900)
Justicia abnormisPohl ex Nees (1847)
Dicliptera squarrosa, also known as firecracker plant and Hummingbird plant, is a species of flowering plant in the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. A scrambling subshrub, it is native to central South America.[2][3]
It is a drought tolerant, subshrub approximately 60 cm in height and a width of 45 cm, with an upright to drooping habit, and thin stems. The opposite, hairy leaves are 4 to 8 cm long, oval, dull or velvety medium green, and covered with grey down.[2]
The vibrant reddish-orange flowers, 2 to 4 cm long, are borne in axillary and terminal clusters, which blossom throughout the summer and into autumn. In addition to butterflies, its flowers attract hummingbirds, hence its common name.[2]
Name
The genus name is from the Greekdiklis which means double-folding, and 'pteron' meaning wing, denotating the two wing-like divisions in the capsule. The species name means with parts spreading or bent at the extremities. This plant is cited in Flora Brasiliensis by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius.[2]
Distribution
Leaf close up
It is native to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern, southeastern, and west-central Brazil,[1] including the Cerradoecoregion of Brazil. It grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome. In Costa Rica, it flowers during the dry season (summer) at altitudes of 1630 m above sea level.[2]
Cultivation
The Hummingbird plant is a tender, herbaceous perennial that can easily grow in well-drained soils such as loam and silt under full sun. Tolerating mild shade and drought, it is winter hardy to Zones 8-10 in the US, which can be protected with mulch cover. It can tolerate temperatures down to −17.7°C (0°F) and may also be grown as an annual. It may be grown in containers or hanging baskets. Cuttings can be taken and overwintered indoors.[2][3]
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