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, 12:47, 30 August 2007
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Justicia brandegeeana''
| image = Shrimp plant lg.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Acanthaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Justicia]]''
| species = '''''J. brandegeeana'''''
| binomial = ''Justicia brandegeeana''
| binomial_authority = Wassh. & L.B.Sm.
}}
'''''Justicia brandegeeana''''' ('''Mexican Shrimp Plant''' or '''Shrimp Plant'''; [[syn.]] ''Beloperone guttata'' Brandeg.) is an [[evergreen]] [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[shrub]] in the genus ''[[Justicia]]'', native to [[Mexico]].
It grows to 1 m tall (rarely more) with spindly limbs. The [[leaf|leaves]] are oval, green, 3-7.5 cm long. The [[flower]]s are white, extending from red [[bract]]s 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 plant|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 [[hummingbird]]s and [[Butterfly|butterflies]]. A number of [[cultivar]]s are available, with different flower bract colors, including yellow, pink and dark brick-red.
It is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]] in [[Florida]].
{{commons|Justicia brandegeana}}
==References==
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=JUBR6 USDA Plant Profile: ''Justicia brandegeeana'']
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?srchmode=5&name=138115 NCBI 138115] 2002-08-21
[[Category:Justicia]]