Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 01:24:11 -0800
From: John MacGregor
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] <no subject>

Where does the plant I've seen sold as Justicia fulvicoma fit into this? Is
it truly another species or is J. fulvicoma a synonym?

Justicia fulvicoma Schltdl. & Cham ("Orange Shrimp Plant", "Mexican
Plume") is recognized as a separate species, but the photos on various web
sites vary so radically that I suspect that not all material sold under this
name is this species. Here is the description I find in the FortuneCity
list of "Southern Perennials and Herbs":

Justicia fulvicoma, (Mexican Plume). Orange-red, flaring, two-lipped flowers
in late summer and fall. Height 2'. Grows well in sun or shade. Very similar
in leaf to J. Leonardii, but has a looser growing habit. Hardy here to 22°F.
Mexico. Zones 8-11.

They seem to make no distinction between bracts and flowers.

The following sites appear to have the real thing:

http://www.yuccado.com/plants/subtropicals/subtropicals_31-45.htm

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Acanthaceae/Justicia_fulvicoma.html

But I suspect the following is just another of the many variants of Justicia
brandegeana:

http://www.virtualherbarium.org/gl/justiciaflavicoma.jpg

================================

From: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>

Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Red Pinecone Justicia

To: HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU
From:Nancy L Newfield

At 05:40 PM 9/9/2003 -0400, James Rieman wrote:

>Did someone (Nancy maybe) recently make a post about red pinecone

shrimp plants? I just discovered one at a local nursery and I believe

it to be the most attractive of all the shrimps. Lots of flowers per shrimp too!

Does anyone have any experience with it? The one I purchased is in heavy

bloom (and it is still rather small). Does anyone know what the season(s) it

flowers in? Any winter flowers?

I have a feeling you are referring to Justicia fulvicoma though I've never used a common name for it and haven't heard the one you are giving. I have grown Justicia fulvicoma off and on for a number of years. It is among the prettiest of the shrimp plants, but it isn't the best for hummers in my yard. It remains small and only flowers for 4-6 weeks in early fall. For that reason, I would rather give the space to a plant that has a longer flowering period.

Nancy L Newfield, Metairie, Louisiana USA