Family : Acanthaceae
Text © Pietro Puccio
English translation by Mario Beltramini
Spectacular spiky inflorescence of Pachystachys coccinea © Giuseppe Mazza
The name of the genus is the combination of the Greek terms “παχύς” (pachys) = big and “στάχυς” (stachys) = spike, with reference to the inflorescences; the name of the species is the Latin adjective “coccineus, a, um” = scarlet, with reference to the colour of the flowers.
Common names: Brazilian plume, cardinal’s guard (English); carmantine rouge (French); camarão-escarlate, camarão-vermelho (Portuguese-Brazil); Rote Dickähre (German).
The Pachystachys coccinea (Aubl.) Nees (1847) is an evergreen, much ramified, small perennial shrub, 1-2 m tall, with leaves, on a 2-6 cm long petiole, simple, opposite, oblong or elliptic with pointed apex and entire margin, 12-25 cm long and 6-10 cm broad, of dark green colour with evident venations.
The inflorescence, on a 1-3 cm long peduncle, is a thick erect terminal spike, 10-22 cm long, with green imbricate ovate to lanceolate bracts, 1,5-2,5 cm long and 0,6-1 cm broad, subtending sessile hermaphroditic flowers arranged in verticils of 3-4 with campanulate penta-partite calyx, laterally compressed bilabiate tubular corolla, 3-6 cm long, scarlet, erect upper lip, concave, 2-2,5 cm long, bilobed at the apex, lower trilobed lip with curved, oblong equal lobes, and two fertile stamina; the flowers, rich of nectar, are pollinated by the hummingbirds. The fruit is a capsule containing 4 seeds.
It reproduces by seed and easily by apical cutting in spring in sandy loam maintained humid at the temperature of 22-24 °C.
Species of remarkable ornamental and landscaping value due to the showy inflorescences which stand out from the dark green foliage, cultivable in the tropical and humid subtropical climate regions where temperatures under the +10 °C are exceptional and very short lasting events. It requires an exposition in full sun or in slight shade and draining soils rich of organic substance, acidic to neutral, maintained constantly humid, but without stagnations. It well bears pruning, even if drastic, for a more compact posture and for stimulating the blooming.
It is cultivable also in pot, utilizing organic loam with addition of coarse siliceous sand or agri-perlite for a 30% for improving the drainage, in order to be sheltered, where the climate does not allow the open air permanence during the winter months, in luminous position, like behind a south-facing window, with diurnal temperatures of 20-24 °C and lowest night ones not under the 16 °C. Watering must be regular in summer, more spaced in winter, but without ever allowing the substratum to dry up completely; if the ambient is too dry, nebulise with non calcareous water at ambient temperature. The fertilizations are to be done from spring to autumn, at 2-3 months intervals, with balanced products with microelements at half dosage than what suggested on the package.
It is easily subject to attacks of mites (spider mites) and aphids, to be treated with specific products in case of serious infestation.
Synonyms: Justicia coccinea Aubl. (1775); Dianthera coccinea Salisb. (1796); Thyrsacanthus coccineus (Aubl.) T.Anderson (1868); Jacobinia coccinea (Aubl.) Hiern (1877).