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Odontonema cuspidatum

Accession Count: 2
Common Name: firespike; cardinal’s guard
Family Name: Acanthaceae
Botanical Name: Odontonema cuspidatum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Firespike is a showy evergreen shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow mostly straight up and requires minimal pruning. It has shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins and long pointed tips. The leaves are oblong, arranged opposite each other on the stem, and 4-6" long. 
Compound: Odo cus
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Cultivation Notes:
Firespike grows best in fertile and moderately fertile soils with neutral pH and favors moist, shady locations (2). It is shade tolerant but does not tolerate salty soils or freezing conditions. It can be propagated vegetatively with stem segments or root suckers, and also by seed. However, in some cases, plants produce few viable seeds and most of the stands of this species have originated from vegetative reproduction. 

Proved invasive outside its native range and abundant in its native range, Firespike is highly adaptable to different environments. It Is categorized as a habitat generalist. It tolerates or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation etc. and therefore is highly mobile locally(1). Due its ability to reproduce quickly it can become invasive in shady understory and generally outcompetes other plants by smothering. Although named as a threat by the Invasive Species Compendium (2012), in the Tucson climate this plant will have a hard time out-competing more arid adapted species, especially with a lack of shade and abundant moisture. 
Ethnobotany: This plant is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds especially during fall months when it is one of the few flowers available to wildlife.
Height: 6 - 10 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Fall
Color: Red
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy:
Water Use: Moderate Water Use
Citations:
  1. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/120147
  2. http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=43084
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Odontonema cuspidatum