About Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schltdl.
Bouvardia ternifolia, commonly known as the firecracker bush, is a shrub that is widespread across much of Mexico. Its range extends south into Honduras and north into the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This species grows as a shrub reaching up to 120 cm (4 feet) in height. It produces dark green, narrowly egg-shaped leaves. Its flowers are showy: they are long, tubular, bright scarlet, growing up to 10 cm (2 inches) long, and arranged in clusters at the ends of branches. Hummingbirds often drink nectar from these blooms. Because of its striking flowers, Bouvardia ternifolia is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. It contains the compound bouvardin, which has been shown to have certain anti-cancer activities.
