Justicia brandegeeana

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Plant Characteristics
Habit   shrub

Height: 36 in"in" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 36.
Width: 26 in"in" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 26.
Lifespan: perennial, annual
Origin: From Mexico
Cultivation
Exposure: sun
Features: evergreen, flowers
USDA Zones: 9 to 11
Flower features: white
Scientific Names

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Justicia brandegeeana
Shrimp plant lg.jpg
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Justicia
Species: J. brandegeeana

Binomial name
Justicia brandegeeana
Wassh. & L.B.Sm.

Justicia brandegeeana (Mexican Shrimp Plant or Shrimp Plant; syn. Beloperone guttata Brandeg.) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the genus Justicia, native to Mexico.

It grows to 1 m tall (rarely more) with spindly limbs. The leaves are oval, green, 3-7.5 cm long. The flowers are white, extending from red bracts which look a bit like a shrimp, hence the shrub's common name, shrimp flower.

The species is named after the American botanist Townshend Stith Brandegee (1843-1925); the scientific name is commonly seen mis-spelled "brandegeana".

Cultivation and uses

The shrimp plant, a common ornamental shrub, thrives in the shade in tropical areas and can be propagated by stem cuttings. It does best in well-drained sandy or loamy soil, but is generally low maintenance and drought-tolerant. The flowers fade somewhat in the full sun.

The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. A number of cultivars are available, with different flower bract colors, including yellow, pink and dark brick-red.

It is naturalized in Florida.

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References