Fountainbush (Russelia equisetiformis)
Description
Russelia equisetiformis, commonly known as fountainbush, firecracker plant, coral plant, coral fountain, coralblow and fountain plant, is a weeping subshrub in the Plantaginaceae family. The plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala. The name Russelia honors the Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell (1715-1768), given to the genus by the Dutch scientist Baron Nikolaus von Jacquin (1727-1817). The species name reference to this plants resemblance to horse tail rushes, and the Latin term equisetiformis means "like Equisetum." Russelia equisetiformis is a multi-branching plant with 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) long arching branches. The overall graceful form of the subshrub is a fountainesque mound. The stems and tiny oval leaves are bright green. It flowers profusely with small decumbent red flowers. It can bloom year round in tropical and subtropical climates. It is a very popular nectar plant for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Taxonomic tree
-
Domain: Eukarya
-
-
Kingdom: Plantae
-
-
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
-
-
Class: Magnoliopsida
-
-
Order: Lamiales
-
-
Family: Plantaginaceae
-
-
Genus: Russelia
-
-
-
-
-
-
