Re: I.D. Help Required/Megaskepasma erythrochlamys

--- Glenn Breayley <valhalla@iafrica.com> wrote:
> >> 2/ I have a plant I bought as Megaskepasma
> >> erythrochlamys. The flower looks
> >> very similar to photos I have of this ( similar
> to
> >> Odontonema strictum ) but
> >> is in a rich violet colour. A soft, tropical
> looking
> >> shrub & seems to flower
> >> year round. Any ideas ?
> >
> >Glenn,
> >
> >Your description seems to be a good match for this
> >plant.  This shrub is from the tropics, being
> native
> >to Venezuela, and is usually only grown in USDA
> zones
> >10-12.  The english common names are Red Justicia
> or
> >Brazilian Red Cloak
> 
> David - Thanks for the advice. Overall our
> temperatures definitely are
> higher than yours. It was about 35C yesterday so
> theres no shortage of heat
> to push these things. Its just a question of finding
> the water.
> My doubt about the ID on this one was that all the
> photos I've seen show a
> distinctly red flower, where mine is definitely
> violet. What flower colour
> did you see on the specimens you examined ?

The violet to burgundy color is what I remember seeing
also, it definitely was not a true red, but pushed a
little towards the blue spectrum.
> 
> The Red Justicia I know, & grow, as Justicia carnea.
> This is a lovely summer
> flowering, low, shade shrub with a very lush look
> for something thats
> relatively drought resistant. Also doing the
> Justicia carnea lutea this
> year, with brilliant yellow flowers. Equally showy,
> though perhaps softer.

I also grow Justicia carnea lutea, but have trouble
getting it to bloom, I think it may also be due to the
lack of heat.  Nice tropical looking foliage though...
> 
> While on the subject of Justicias. I know they're
> looked down on now, but
> the common old shrimp plant - Justicia brandegeana -
> mustn't be overlooked
> as a marginal Med. plant either. For me they flower
> year round, sun or shade
> & again, for something that doesn't look as though
> it should be, is
> remarkably drought hardy. Theres several new
> varieties available here now
> too, which extends their range of usage quite
> nicely.

Justicia brandegiana is not looked down on here, it
just isn't that commonly used.  Many color forms are
also available in California, and I agree with you, it
is a great, easy and everblooming plant, which also
works extremely well indoors in a sunny spot, or for
cool, unheated sun porches.  Too bad Pachystachys
lutea is not more cold weather tolerant, because this
is one of my favorite blooming Shrimp Plants.  Here it
only works as a summer annual, and stops blooming once
temps dip below 45F, and declines rapidly below 40F...


Regards
David Feix


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