Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Ornamental - A common garden plant valued for its showy flowers and long blooming period. Attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies.
Argentina to USA
Thrives in dry soils and disturbed areas.
It is subshrub perennial in warmer climates annual in colder regions. Upright bushy growth habit reaching a height of 60-90 cm and a spread of 30-50 cm.
Stem is square-shaped, woody at the base in perennial forms, herbaceous in annual forms. Typically green and covered with fine hairs.
Leaves are triangular in shape, measuring approximately 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Oppositely arranged on the stem, with long stalks. Leaf margins are slightly serrated.
Flowers are showy, tubular about 2.5 cm long, typically bright red but can be pink, white, or bi-colored. Arranged in loose whorls along the upright stem.
Fruit is small, dry, nut-like seeds contained within the dried calyx.
Flowering: April-July.