Russelia

Russelia
Russelia equisetiformis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Tribe:	Russelieae
Genus:	Russelia Jacq.[1]
Species
Many, see text.

Russelia is a genus of flowering plants in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. It is sometimes placed in the families Scrophulariaceae or Veronicaceae.^[1] The name honours Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell (1715–1768).^[2] Members of the genus are commonly known as Firecracker plants or Coralblows. They are common garden plants,^{[citation needed]} and are easily recognized by their brilliant red flowers that are shaped like slender vases. Russelia species grow in many parts of the world and are mildly drought resistant.

Russelia equisetiformis and Russelia sarmentosa are commonly used to hide unattractive retaining walls or fences because they grow quickly and have dense foliage. Growing to a maximum height of 1.8 m (5.9 ft), they are shrubs which will tolerate full sun to partial shade. As evergreens they bloom for most of the year.

Due to their attractively coloured flowers, these bushes attract birds and insects (such as bees) that feed on flower nectar.

Selected species

Russelia equisetiformis flowers

Russelia acuminata Russelia alata Russelia alternifolia Russelia americana Russelia campechiana Standl. Russelia capensis Russelia chiapensis Russelia coccinea Russelia colombiana Russelia contrerasii Russelia conzattii Russelia cora Russelia cuneata Russelia deamii Russelia depressa Russelia elongata Russelia ephedroides Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham. – Fountainbush, Coral Plant Russelia equisitorum[verification needed] Russelia flammea Russelia flavoviridis Russelia floribunda Russelia furfuracea Russelia glandulifera Russelia grandidentata Russelia hintoni Russelia iltisneeana Russelia jaliscensis Russelia juncea Zucc. Russelia laciniata Russelia lanceifolia Russelia leptopoda Russelia lilacina Russelia longifolia Russelia longisepala Russelia maculosa Russelia manantlana

Russelia multiflora Russelia obtusata Russelia oldenlandioides Russelia ovatifolia Russelia oxyphylla Russelia paniculata Russelia parvifolia Russelia pennelliana Russelia polyedra Zucc. Russelia pringlei Russelia pubescens Russelia purpusii Russelia racemosa Russelia retrorsa Russelia rotundifolia Russelia rugosa Russelia sarmentosa Jacq. – Running Russelia, Leafy Coralblow[3] Russelia serratifolia Russelia sonorensis Russelia staleyae Russelia standleyi Russelia steyermarkii Russelia subcoriacea Russelia syringaefolia Russelia tabascensis Russelia tenuis Russelia tepicensis Russelia teres Russelia ternifolia Russelia tetraptera Russelia tomentosa[verification needed] Russelia trachypleura Russelia verticillata Russelia villosa Russelia viscosa Russelia worthingtonii

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Genus: Russelia Jacq.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2006-04-20. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?10602. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
2. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. IV R-Z. Taylor & Francis US. p. 2354. ISBN 978-0-8493-2678-3. http://books.google.com/books?id=zIOvJSJs-IkC. 
3. ^ "Species Records of Russelia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?10602. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 

External links

• Coral Plant