Accession Count: 14
Common Name:
firecracker plant, coral fountain
Family Name:
Plantaginaceae
Botanical Name:
Russelia equisetiformis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Russelia equisetiformis is a perennial shrub that develops a cascading, spreading habit as it grows. This plant is herbaceous, with bright green stems which often clump together. The plant grows three to five feet in height and width. Leaves may either appear bright green and ovate with dentate margins, or as linear, one inch long, scale-like bracts. These bracts tend to blend in with the stems. In ideal conditions, flowering occurs year-round. Its tubular, red flowers grow in clusters and reach approximately one inch long. The dry, brown fruits are inconspicuous, growing less than a half inch in diameter, dry, and brown (1,2).
Compound:
Rus equ
Geographic Origin:
Mexico, Guatemala
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
R. equisetiformis is native to Mexico, but is naturalized in some tropical and semi-tropical regions, such as Florida. Due to this plant’s ability to naturalize, it is considered an invasive species (2,3).
Cultivation Notes:
R. equisetiformis is a versatile landscape ornamental which can be grown in both tropical and arid landscapes. In arid landscapes, it is recommended to water this plant deeply and infrequently so as to prevent rapid growth. This plant is cold tolerant down to 25°F, and grows best in warm and sunny locations (1). It is tolerant of many types of soil, but grows best in well-drained and rich soil which is high in humic materials. The firecracker plant can be germinated from seed, or clonally propagate using stem tip cuttings (3). Pruning helps keep the plant at a manageable size, but it cannot be trained due to its random growth habit. In many tropical locations, this plant is considered to be invasive, and it is naturalized in some US states such as Florida. Vulnerable to root rot if the soil is poorly drained (1,2).
Ethnobotany:
R. equisetiformis is most often used as a landscape ornamental, and an accent plant in many parts of the world. In landscapes, this plant is often used in planters, as an accent in a rock garden, in a hanging basket, or as an informal hedge (1,2).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Red
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
