species 11,937 observations

Firecracker Plant

Russelia equisetiformis

Field notes

Russelia equisetiformis, the fountainbush, firecracker plant, coral plant, coral fountain, coralblow, ruby falls or fountain plant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae.

This weeping subshrub is native to Mexico and Guatemala.

The Latin specific epithet equisetiformis implies the plant has a form "like/similar to Equisetum"—i.e., 'horsetail', 'horsetail rush/fern'—a genus which Russelia is only distantly related to (and which is not a true fern genera).

Supports All

15 native animals
supported in the US

Caterpillars Moths and butterflies raised on it Common Buckeye, Sri Lanka Plume Moth 2
Flower visitors Pollinators and other flower visitors Costa's Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gray Buckeye 13

Range

United States

Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided

Key traits

Layer: Shrubs
Light: Full sun
Moisture: Well drained Wet
Soil: Loam Clay Organic
Resists: Salt
Habit: Arching Cascading
Plant type: Shrub Houseplant

From NC State Extension and USDA PLANTS.