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Crossandra nilotica

Scientific Name: Crossandra nilotica

Family: Acanthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Crossandra nilotica

Crossandra nilotica, also known as the Firecracker Plant, is an herbaceous species belonging to the Acanthaceae family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is a shrub with oval, pointed leaves.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is a shrub with oval, pointed leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Crossandra nilotica Oliv.
  • Family: Acanthaceae
  • Genus: Crossandra
  • Synonyms:
    • Crossandra brachystachys Lindau
    • Crossandra nilotica subsp. acuminata (C. B. Cl.) Napper
    • Crossandra nilotica subsp. massaica (Mildbr.) Napper
    • Crossandra puberula var. smithii C.B. Clarke
  • Taxonomic Serial Number: 832784

Distribution and Habitat

  • Crossandra nilotica is found in the south of Africa.
  • Specific locations mentioned include:
    • Eritrea, Nile Land, Mogod Valley (4500 ft.)
    • Donkollo, near Ginda (3000 ft.)
    • Abyssinia, Nile Land, Wadi Woina
    • Tanzania (as its origin).
  • Found in Cornell University, Plant Sciences Conservatory in Ithaca, NY.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is described as an upright and spreading leafy shrub.
  • The leaves are oval, pointed, and rich green.
  • It produces small tubular yellow flowers with spreading petals.
  • Coral blooms

Chemical Composition

  • Roots contain furofuran type of symmetrical lignan named crossandrin (1).

Traditional/Historical Uses

  • Used as Medicinal Plants

Further Information

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • NCBI Taxonomy
  • EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
  • Tropicos (IPCN)
  • Prelude Medicinal Plants Database
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) Herbarium
  • Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa
  • Discover Life
  • Wikimedia Commons