Russelia equisetiformis also known as the firecracker plant is a shrub native to Mexico and Guatemala (Floridata, 2004). This plant grows to be about 1.5 meters tall with bright red and tubular flowers as indicated by its common name firecracker plant (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5700). The firecracker plant blooms in the summer and maintains its flowers through most of the year (Floridata, 2004). When in full bloom R. equisetiformis looks as if its clusters of flowers are drooping from the stalks (Floridata, 2004). The plant is exotic in Florida, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Nigeria (USDA, 2015; NatureServe, 2014; Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007:59).
While being pretty to look at R. equisetiformis has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties (Johnson, Lin, Harnly, Oladeinde, Kinyua & Bronner, 2011: 57). Plants from southwestern Nigeria were tested to have caffeoylquinic acid, a neural anti-inflammatory agent (Johnson, Lin, Harnly, Oladeinde, Kinyua & Bronner, 2011: 60). R. equisetiformis yields phytochemicals flavonoids and phenolics when isolated in a solvent of methanol (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5702). These results suggest that R. equisetiformis may act as an antioxidant, helping to maintain the integrity of cell membrane and protection of DNA (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5703-4).
R. equisetiformis along with anti-inflammatory properties has also showed antimicrobial properties (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5705). When dissolved in methanol R. equisetiformis showed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus which is a common coccal bacterial strain that causes skin and respiratory infections as well as food poisoning, and the fungal strain of Rhizoctonia solani, which is a common plant pathogen (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5705). Being able to fight such a fast growing disease makes R. equisetiformis crucial to both the medical and food industries. The extract and fractions were also used to see how dangerous the plant is for humans. The percentage of red blood cell lysis, or cell death, was less than 5% which indicates that Russelia equisetiformis is barely cytotoxic and possibly safe for humans to use as a herbal remedy (Riaz, Rasool, Bukhari, Shahid, Zahoor, Gilani, & Zubair, 2012: 5706).
Another experiment conducted in Nigeria focuses on Russelia equisetiformis’ depressant qualities on the central nervous system (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007:59). The experiment showed that in mice, as the dose of Russelia equisetiformis increased from 100 mg/kg to 400 mg/kg, the time spent sleeping increased and the time it took to change into the sleep stages other than REM sleep decreased (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007: 60). However, this plant taken in large doses such as 400 mg/kg led to the death of the mice on amphetamine which is a stimulant on the central nervous system (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007:61). The high dosage of Russelia equisetiformis which is suspected to act as a dopamine receptor blocker along with the amphetamine would lead to convulsions and cause serious brain damage resulting in the animals’ deaths (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007: 62). The smaller doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg had longer amount of time before the onset of a seizure (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007: 61). Overall, the experiment shows that Russelia equisetiformis is a depressant on the central nervous system and acts by blocking the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (Kolawole, Makinde, & Olajide, 2007: 62).
Russelia equisetiformis, the fountainbush,[1] firecracker plant, coral plant, coral fountain, coralblow or fountain plant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae.
This weeping subshrub is native to Mexico and Guatemala.[2]
The Latin specific epithet means "like Equisetum" (the horse tail rush) - a plant which is only distantly related.
Russelia equisetiformis is a multi-branching plant with 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) long arching branches.[2] The overall graceful form of the subshrub is a fountainesque mound. The stems and tiny oval leaves are bright green. It flowers profusely with small decumbent red flowers. It can bloom year round in tropical and subtropical climates.[2]
It is a very popular nectar plant for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Russelia equisetiformis is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for temperate gardens and in window boxes, pots, and hanging planters.[2] There are also cultivars with ivory white or pink flowers. Flowering is best with a minimum of half a day of sunlight, though the plant grows well in a range of situations.
The plant can be grown as an espalier on a trellis for vertical display, or a balcony—terrace screen (in a pot). It can withstand temperatures down to −6 °C (21 °F). However some authorities assert that it cannot tolerate temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), and must therefore be kept under glass during the winter months.[3] In colder climates it can overwinter as a houseplant in bright locations.[2]
In cultivation in the UK, It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]
Russelia equisetiformis, the fountainbush, firecracker plant, coral plant, coral fountain, coralblow 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 means "like Equisetum" (the horse tail rush) - a plant which is only distantly related.
