Russelia equisetiformis

Schlechtendal & Chamisso

Linnaea 6: 377. 1831.

Common names: Fountain or firecracker or coral plant
IntroducedIllustrated
Synonyms: Russelia juncea Zuccarini
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 17. Treatment on page 294. Mentioned on page 291.

Stems striate, sometimes rooting at tips, 4–12-angled, 7–15 dm, gland-dotted. Leaves dimorphic; proximal: petiole 3–4 mm, in whorls of 3–6, blade ovate, 8–15 × 6–10 mm, margins dentate, surfaces glandular-punctate; distal: petiole 0–1 mm, opposite or whorled, blade narrowly triangular, needlelike or scalelike, 1–2 × 1 mm, margins entire. Inflorescences 2-flowered; peduncles 3–4 cm. Pedicels 10–15 mm. Flowers: calyx lobes 2–3 mm, apex acute or mucronate; corolla 15–25 mm, glabrous, adaxial lip deeply notched; stamens 15–20 mm; staminode 0.5–0.7 mm, sometimes with an abortive anther. Capsules globular, 3–6 mm; style persistent. Seeds 0.3–0.4 mm, pitted. 2n = 20.


Phenology: Flowering year-round.
Habitat: Disturbed pinelands, palmetto scrub, old gardens.
Elevation: 0–100 m.

Distribution

Introduced; Fla., Mexico.

Discussion

Russelia equisetiformis is distinguished by its tubular, red corollas and arching, ridged, striate stems with relatively small distal leaves. It has been in cultivation since the eighteenth century and is sometimes grown as an annual in temperate areas.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.