Firecracker Plant

Overview

Firecracker plant is native to Mexico, and introduced elsewhere mostly as an ornamental species. A tropical and subtropical plant that is recorded introduced for North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Vernacular Names

Bao zhang zhu (Chinesse), Cola de Caballo (Colombia), Caral de italia (Italian), Russelia-prele ( French), Rasili (Hindi), Cola de Caballo (Mexican), Lagrima de Cupido (Spanish).

Agroecology

Russelia equisetiformis easy to grow, it thrives in full sun or part sun in fertile, medium moisture, well drained soils. The plant can be espaliered on a trellis for vertical display or balcony-terrace screen (in pot). It can withstand temperatures down to -6 °C. However some authorities assert that it cannot tolerate temperature below 5 °C and must therefore be kept under glass during the winter moths.

Morphology

• Stems - tiny, oval and bright green, shrub up to 1,5 m high with numerous lax whorled branches sometimes arching and rooting, ribbed and equisetum-like.
• Leaves - small, linear-lanceolate or ovate and almost scalelike on the branches
• Flowers - red, tubular, 2-lipped, up to 3 cm long and in loose branching clusters. Corolla scarlet, tubular,slighty saccate, up to 2,5 cm long.
• Capsule - globose, 3-6 mm in diameter, seeds small, oval, warty, light brown, among white hairs filling the capsule.

Cultivation

• By stem tip cutting. Choose a healthy tip with a minimal 2 leaves near the end, cutting should be 6 inches long and remove all leaves except a pair at the branch tip. Place the cutting into a pot of approriate, well-draining soil and water lightly.
• Firecracker plants are easily propagated from rooted cuttings.

Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroid, terpenoids, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, methyltetracosane, n-docosane, β-pinene, octadecanoic acid methyl ester.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Medicinal Uses

• Studies suggest antiinflamation, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticonsulvant, anti diabetic, membrane stabilizing, depressant, anti malarial, hepatoprotective, anthemintic properties.

Traditional Uses

• In Southwestern Nigeria, it used for diabetes and leukimia.
• Used to treat malaria, cancer and inflamatory diseases.
• Used to promote hair growth.
• In Colombia, decoction of entire plant is used for kidney stones.
• In Mexico, infusion of aerial parts is used for diabetes.
• Leaves and stem extract of Russelia equisetiformis are used as ingredient in cosmetic products.