Russelia equisetiformis - Firecracker plant

Approximately fifty species of Russelia range from Mexico and Cuba south into Columbia. The firecracker plant is native to Mexico. Leaves are absent or much reduced except on young, vigorous shoots. These shoots arch up from the base making a dense shrub. Tubular red or pale yellow flowers are produced through the growing season and are attractive to hummingbirds. This plant is drought tolerant and somewhat salt tolerant.

This is an easy plant to grow in a sunny, well-drained site in Jacksonville. It may be killed to the ground by a very cold winter and resprout the following spring.