Red Immortal powder herb, Jungle geranium
Ixora coccinea

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small tree or shrubby bush. It grows 2.4 m high and about 2 m wide. The young leaves are red but become glossy and dark green. They do not have stalks. They are 4-9 cm long and can be heart shaped at the base. The flowers are bright red. They are in large round clusters. The fruit is a round shiny berry 6 mm across. It contains 2 seeds. There are named varieties with different flower colours.

There are about 400 Ixora species. They grow in tropical countries. The flowers are sacred to Shiva & Vishna.

Where it is found

It needs tropical conditions. It is native to tropical Asia. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andaman Is., Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Central America, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mascarenes, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nicaragua, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Senegal, Seychelles, South America, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin), Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The flowers are used as a condiment or flavouring.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be grown by air-layering. It can be grown by cuttings using rooting hormones.

It flowers when still a small shrub. It flowers and fruits throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Bakora, Bandhuka, Bondhuko, Chethi, Chetti, Coccinea ixora, Flame of the woods, Flor de fuego, Hongxiandancao, Indian ixora, Jungleflame ixora, Jungle geranium, Kepala, Kiskaara, Kisukare, Koranam, Kudhiraiy maa, Kullai, Mankana, Pan-thawka, Pechah piring paya, Pendgul, Pitkuli, Ponna-yeik-gyi, Rajana, Raktaka, Rangan, Rat mal, Rathmal, Red Elixir of life, Red Ixora, Romoniphulo, Rookmini, Sastra, Seganding jantan, Soka merah meriah, Terubol, Thechii, Thetti, Vedchi

Synonyms

Ixora bandhuca Roxb.; Ixora grandiflora Ker; Ixora incarnata DC.; Pavetta bandhuca (Roxb.) Miq.; Pavetta coccinea (L.) Blume;