Peru wild petunia, Lobster claw, Red shrimp plant
Ruellia chartacea

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2 m tall and spreads 1 m wide. The stem are thin and grey-brown. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval to sword shaped. They taper to a sharp tip. They are pale green underneath. The leaves are 15-18 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The flowers are at the ends of the branches. They have bright red bracts up to 10 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, India, Peru, South America (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Colorama

Synonyms

Aphelandra chartacea T. Anderson; Ruellia colorata Baill.;