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Justicia spicigera

Schltdl. (1832)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Justicia

firecracker plant, Mexican honeysuckle, Mexican indigo, orange plume flower

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrub 1.8 m tall.

Stems: Stems 4–angled.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite and decussate (pairs of leaves alternating 90 degrees between nodes). Blades oblong–lanceolate to ovate, to 17.8 cm long. Surfaces almost glabrous or more or less pilose, especially on the costae and veins and on or near the margins. Margins entire. Petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers arranged in 1–sided racemes, axillary or terminal, few flowered; bracts inconspicuous. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx 4(5)-lobed, the segments usually narrow and equal, sometimes unequal. Corolla orange to red, ca. 4 cm long, tubular, deeply 2-lipped, lower lip recoiled. Stamens 2, often unequal, inserted on the corolla alternate with the lobes, sometimes 1 or more reduced to staminodes; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate; ovule placentation axile; style filiform, simple.

Fruit: Capsules with two cells; usually dehiscing explosively; capsules clavate. (Fruit rare in Hawai‘i.). Seeds 4; On small hooked stalks (modified funiculus) that ejects the seeds from the capsule; embryos usually large; endosperm absent.

Ploidy:

Habitat: In preferably grown in a shady location on fertile; well–drained soil; this species is not salt tolerant.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Pumehana Imada
  • Native from Mexico southward to Colombia, this species has a variety of uses. In Mexico, the leaves are steeped in hot water to produce a bluing agent used to whiten fabrics; a dye and medicinal uses are also recorded. In Hawai‘i, sparingly naturalized on

Bibliography

Name Published In: Linnaea 7: 395 (1832)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:172 (Mo? [possibly sparingly nat. in Hālawa Valley]); Staples et al. 2002:4 (NEWNAT/O, Mo, DESCR); Staples & Herbst 2005:87 (KEY, DESCR); Starr & Starr 2013a:33 (WM); Parker & Parsons 2016:17 (H); Brock et al. 2023:110 (K)

Wagner, W. L., Herbst, D. R., & Sohmer, S. H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i, Vols. 1 and 2 (No. Edn 2). University of Hawai'i and Bishop Museum Press.

Staples, G., & Herbst, D. R. (2005). A Tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press.

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Justicia spicigera Honolulu. Lower Round Top, 2010 Round Top Drive, roadside above stream Disturbed, lowland dry forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. 100 Oahu BISH 3/25/1998
2 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Liliha St., near Judd St. McInerny's property In hedge. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 5/31/1939
3 Justicia spicigera Honolulu Harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Woolliams, K. s.n. Oahu BISH
4 Justicia spicigera Laie Abundant. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Higuchi, G.T. 50 Oahu BISH 5/14/1971
5 Justicia spicigera Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Haleiwa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Cory, C. 11 Oahu BISH 3/5/1986
6 Justicia spicigera Lihue, along Hwy 50 just west of Lihue Plantation Mill PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 1619 Kauai BISH 4/3/1986
7 Justicia spicigera Wahiawa nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN McEldowney, G.A. s.n. Oahu BISH 2/27/1934
8 Justicia spicigera honolulu, liliha st., near judd st. mcinerny's property moist gulch, forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 5/31/1939
9 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Palama St. home Alien forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. Brock 795 Oahu HAPI 4/3/2016
10 Justicia spicigera 96822, Honolulu, HI, US Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 100 Maui HAPI 3/25/1998
11 Justicia spicigera waimea arboretum & botanical gardens, haleiwa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN cory, c. collector number: 11 Oahu BISH 3/5/1986
12 Justicia spicigera wahiawa nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mceldowney, g.a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 2/27/1934
13 Justicia spicigera Waihee Coastal Preserve Spreading in kiawe understory from abandoned house site. Dry coastal scrub in assoc w. Prosopis pallida, Carmona retusa, Bougainvillea sp. and Aristolochia littoralis PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 120513-01 Maui BISH 5/13/2012
14 Justicia spicigera Lihue District. Growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Approximately 20 mature and 7-10 immature naturalized plants scattered throughout understory, growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Growing in shaded Falcataria and Syzigium dominated alien forest adjacent to Hibiscus tiliaceus riparian strip along Huleia River. Falcataria moluccana, Coffea arabica, Hibiscus tilaceus. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brock, K. 795 Kauai BISH 4/3/2016
15 Justicia spicigera halawa valley Naturalized in areas along road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. collector number: 2671 Molokai BISH 7/9/1983
16 Justicia spicigera Kalapana, Puna. UTM: 2142183N, 293448E PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Parker, J. BIED 161 Hawaii BISH 8/1/2011
17 Justicia spicigera Honolulu Harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Woolliams, K. Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH
18 Justicia spicigera Halawa Valley Naturalized in areas along road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 2671 Molokai BISH 7/9/1983
19 Justicia spicigera waihee coastal preserve Spreading in kiawe understory from abandoned house site. Dry coastal scrub in assoc w. Prosopis pallida, Carmona retusa, Bougainvillea sp. and Aristolochia littoralis PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. starr, k. collector number: 120513-01 Maui BISH 5/13/2012
20 Justicia spicigera lihue, along hwy 50 just west of lihue plantation mill mossy bog with Plantago, Selaginella, Astelia PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. hume, l. collector number: 1619 Maui BISH 4/3/1986
21 Justicia spicigera bishop museum, honolulu Just below the two "pinnacled rocks" nearing Kumaipo peak; along very steep, exposed north-east facing slope; fairly rocky, dry terrain. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1042 Oahu BISH 6/4/1985
22 Justicia spicigera laie gulches, with kukui PRESERVED_SPECIMEN higuchi, g.t. collector number: 50 Oahu BISH 5/14/1971
23 Justicia spicigera honolulu. lower round top, 2010 round top drive, roadside above stream Disturbed, lowland dry forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ray, g. gibney, e. collector number: 100 Oahu BISH 3/25/1998
24 Justicia spicigera Bishop Museum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Joel Lau 1042 Oahu PTBG 6/4/1985
25 Justicia spicigera lower round top, 2010 round top dr, roadside above stream Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 100 NY 3/25/1998
26 Justicia spicigera Lower Round Top, 2010 Round Top Dr, roadside above stream Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 100 NY 3/25/1998
27 Justicia spicigera Approximately 20 mature and 7-10 immature naturalized plants scattered throughout understory, growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Growing in shaded Falcataria and Syzigium dominated alien forest adjacent to Hibiscus tiliaceus riparian strip along Huleia River. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kelsey Brock 795 Kauai PTBG 4/3/2016
28 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Kaimuki, Pahoa Avenue. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush s.n. Oahu PTBG 4/2/1974
29 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Pauoa Valley, Pauoa Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush 678 Oahu PTBG 6/14/1977
30 Justicia spicigera Waihee Coastal Preserve. Spreading in Kiawe understoryfrom abandoned house site.\nNaturalized. Dry coastal scrub. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forest Starr Starr-120513-01 Maui PTBG 5/13/2012
31 Justicia spicigera waimea arboretum and botanical garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. cory 11 Oahu US 3/5/1986
32 Justicia spicigera lihue district, south bank of the huleia river PRESERVED_SPECIMEN k. brock 795 UNCC 4/3/2016
33 Justicia spicigera Lihue District, south bank of the Huleia River Alien forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. Brock 795 Kauai US 4/3/2016
34 Justicia spicigera Oahu Island, Honolulu, University of Hawaii campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Vladimir J. Krajina 620504002 UBC 5/4/1962
35 Justicia spicigera waihee coastal preserve Dry coastal scrub PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. starr & k. starr 120513-01 Maui US 5/13/2012
36 Justicia spicigera bishop museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. lau 1042 Oahu US 6/4/1985
37 Justicia spicigera honolulu harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN woolliams, k. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH
38 Justicia spicigera Bishop Museum, Honolulu Growing in an untrimmed hedge in full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1042 Oahu BISH 6/4/1985
39 Justicia spicigera Honolulu. Lower Round Top, 2010 Round Top Drive, roadside above stream Disturbed, lowland dry forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Ray, G. 100 Oahu BISH 3/25/1998
40 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Liliha St., near Judd St. McInerny's property In hedge. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 5/31/1939
41 Justicia spicigera Honolulu Harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Woolliams, K. s.n. Oahu BISH
42 Justicia spicigera Laie Abundant. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Higuchi, G.T. 50 Oahu BISH 5/14/1971
43 Justicia spicigera Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Haleiwa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Cory, C. 11 Oahu BISH 3/5/1986
44 Justicia spicigera Lihue, along Hwy 50 just west of Lihue Plantation Mill PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 1619 Kauai BISH 4/3/1986
45 Justicia spicigera Wahiawa nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN McEldowney, G.A. s.n. Oahu BISH 2/27/1934
46 Justicia spicigera honolulu, liliha st., near judd st. mcinerny's property moist gulch, forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 5/31/1939
47 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Palama St. home Alien forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. Brock 795 Oahu HAPI 4/3/2016
48 Justicia spicigera 96822, Honolulu, HI, US Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 100 Maui HAPI 3/25/1998
49 Justicia spicigera waimea arboretum & botanical gardens, haleiwa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN cory, c. collector number: 11 Oahu BISH 3/5/1986
50 Justicia spicigera wahiawa nursery PRESERVED_SPECIMEN mceldowney, g.a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 2/27/1934
51 Justicia spicigera Waihee Coastal Preserve Spreading in kiawe understory from abandoned house site. Dry coastal scrub in assoc w. Prosopis pallida, Carmona retusa, Bougainvillea sp. and Aristolochia littoralis PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 120513-01 Maui BISH 5/13/2012
52 Justicia spicigera Lihue District. Growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Approximately 20 mature and 7-10 immature naturalized plants scattered throughout understory, growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Growing in shaded Falcataria and Syzigium dominated alien forest adjacent to Hibiscus tiliaceus riparian strip along Huleia River. Falcataria moluccana, Coffea arabica, Hibiscus tilaceus. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brock, K. 795 Kauai BISH 4/3/2016
53 Justicia spicigera halawa valley Naturalized in areas along road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN nagata, k.m. collector number: 2671 Molokai BISH 7/9/1983
54 Justicia spicigera Kalapana, Puna. UTM: 2142183N, 293448E PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Parker, J. BIED 161 Hawaii BISH 8/1/2011
55 Justicia spicigera Honolulu Harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Woolliams, K. Collector Number: s.n. Oahu BISH
56 Justicia spicigera Halawa Valley Naturalized in areas along road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nagata, K.M. 2671 Molokai BISH 7/9/1983
57 Justicia spicigera waihee coastal preserve Spreading in kiawe understory from abandoned house site. Dry coastal scrub in assoc w. Prosopis pallida, Carmona retusa, Bougainvillea sp. and Aristolochia littoralis PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. starr, k. collector number: 120513-01 Maui BISH 5/13/2012
58 Justicia spicigera lihue, along hwy 50 just west of lihue plantation mill mossy bog with Plantago, Selaginella, Astelia PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. hume, l. collector number: 1619 Maui BISH 4/3/1986
59 Justicia spicigera bishop museum, honolulu Just below the two "pinnacled rocks" nearing Kumaipo peak; along very steep, exposed north-east facing slope; fairly rocky, dry terrain. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1042 Oahu BISH 6/4/1985
60 Justicia spicigera laie gulches, with kukui PRESERVED_SPECIMEN higuchi, g.t. collector number: 50 Oahu BISH 5/14/1971
61 Justicia spicigera honolulu. lower round top, 2010 round top drive, roadside above stream Disturbed, lowland dry forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN ray, g. gibney, e. collector number: 100 Oahu BISH 3/25/1998
62 Justicia spicigera Bishop Museum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Joel Lau 1042 Oahu PTBG 6/4/1985
63 Justicia spicigera lower round top, 2010 round top dr, roadside above stream Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 100 NY 3/25/1998
64 Justicia spicigera Lower Round Top, 2010 Round Top Dr, roadside above stream Disturbed lowland dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN G. J. Ray 100 NY 3/25/1998
65 Justicia spicigera Approximately 20 mature and 7-10 immature naturalized plants scattered throughout understory, growing on the south bank of the Huleia River. Growing in shaded Falcataria and Syzigium dominated alien forest adjacent to Hibiscus tiliaceus riparian strip along Huleia River. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Kelsey Brock 795 Kauai PTBG 4/3/2016
66 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Kaimuki, Pahoa Avenue. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush s.n. Oahu PTBG 4/2/1974
67 Justicia spicigera Honolulu, Pauoa Valley, Pauoa Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush 678 Oahu PTBG 6/14/1977
68 Justicia spicigera Waihee Coastal Preserve. Spreading in Kiawe understoryfrom abandoned house site.\nNaturalized. Dry coastal scrub. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forest Starr Starr-120513-01 Maui PTBG 5/13/2012
69 Justicia spicigera waimea arboretum and botanical garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. cory 11 Oahu US 3/5/1986
70 Justicia spicigera lihue district, south bank of the huleia river PRESERVED_SPECIMEN k. brock 795 UNCC 4/3/2016
71 Justicia spicigera Lihue District, south bank of the Huleia River Alien forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN K. Brock 795 Kauai US 4/3/2016
72 Justicia spicigera Oahu Island, Honolulu, University of Hawaii campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Vladimir J. Krajina 620504002 UBC 5/4/1962
73 Justicia spicigera waihee coastal preserve Dry coastal scrub PRESERVED_SPECIMEN f. starr & k. starr 120513-01 Maui US 5/13/2012
74 Justicia spicigera bishop museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. lau 1042 Oahu US 6/4/1985
75 Justicia spicigera honolulu harbor Cultivated in gardens (yards). PRESERVED_SPECIMEN woolliams, k. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH
76 Justicia spicigera Bishop Museum, Honolulu Growing in an untrimmed hedge in full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1042 Oahu BISH 6/4/1985
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