Megaskepasma

Megaskepasma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Megaskepasma Lindau
Species:	M. erythrochlamys
Binomial name
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys Lindau

Megaskepasma is a monotypic genus of plants containing the single species Megaskepasma erythrochlamys, known by the common name Brazilian red-cloak. It is native to Venezuela and elsewhere in South America, a free branching, upright showy tropical shrub to 3 m high, with appressed reddish hairs; stout stems with broad ovate leaves 12-30 cm long, dark green with pink midrib. It is grown as an ornamental shrub in climates from warm temperate to tropical, for its inflorescence, large erect heads of conspicuous crimson bracts and two-lipped white flowers. This plant prefers a rich soil and is propagated from seed or cuttings.

Sources

• Ellison, Don (1999) Cultivated Plants of the World. London: New Holland (1st ed.: Brisbane: Flora Publications International, 1995)
• Graf, Alfred Byrd (1986) Tropica: color cyclopedia of exotic plants and trees for warm-region horticulture--in cool climate the summer garden or sheltered indoors; 3rd ed. East Rutherford, N.J.: Roehrs Co