Firecracker Flower

Overview

Firecracker flower is native to Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Zaïre and is introduced in Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Leeward Islands, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, Vietnam, Windward Islands. This plant is often planted around the temple for decoration. In India and Sri Lanka, the flowers are combined with jasmine flowers to decorate women's hair. Besides being planted as an ornamental plant, firecrecker flower also has health benefits, and is used in traditional medicine.

Vernacular Names

 Firecracker Plant, Crossandra, Tropic Flame.

Agroecology

Firecracker flower occurs in the foothills at altitudes of up to 1,300 m. It growing in fertile soil enriched with organic matter and having good drainage. It is sensitive to overwatering and waterlogged sites. Allow the soil to dry before re-watering. 

Morphology

• Leaves are narrowly ovate to lanceolate (8 - 13 cm long). They droop slightly and occur in whorls of 3 - 4.
• Flowers are salverform; each flower has a thin tube (2.5 cm long) with 5 lobes (2 - 4 cm wide) that are perpendicular to the tube. The throat may be red or yellow. They are arranged in terminal inflorescences. Below the flowers, green, leaf-like bracts are arranged like a head of wheat. The bracts are covered in soft, white hairs. Flowering occurs throughout the year.
• Fruits are ellipsoid to oblong (1 cm long) and each contains 4 round seeds. They are classifed as capsules. Capsules are dry, dehiscent fruits. 

Cultivation

In planting Firecracker flowers you can use the cutting method which is taken on the stems or branches of good parent flower stems. In this case, the best cutting can be done in the morning, using scissors where the stem cuttings must be done neatly. You need to note that the scissors used must be sharp so as not to damage the stem.

Chemical Constituents

Flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and tannins.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Treat toothache, skin disease, venereal disease, syphilis, fever, headache, pain, wound healing and as an aphrodisiac. Has antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antifungal, anticandidal and larvicidal activity.