Dicliptera squarrosa Nees

Species and Growth Form

Dicliptera squarrosa Nees is a drought-tolerant subshrub that reaches approximately 60 cm in height and 45 cm in width. It has an upright to drooping growth habit with thin stems.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are opposite, hairy, oval-shaped, 4 to 8 cm long, and dull or velvety medium green, covered in grey down.

Flower Traits

The vibrant reddish-orange flowers measure 2 to 4 cm long and are produced in axillary and terminal clusters; flowering occurs throughout summer and into autumn.

Common Name Origin

This species' flowers attract both butterflies and hummingbirds, which is the origin of its common name.

Native Distribution

It is native to Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern, southeastern, and west-central Brazil, including the Brazilian Cerrado ecoregion.

Native Habitat Biome

It grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Costa Rica Flowering and Altitude

In Costa Rica, it flowers during the dry summer season at an altitude of 1630 m above sea level.

Cultivation Soil and Sun Requirements

Common called the hummingbird plant, it is a tender herbaceous perennial that grows easily in well-drained soils such as loam and silt when planted in full sun.

Shade, Drought, and Winter Hardiness

It tolerates both mild shade and drought, and is winter hardy to USDA Zones 8–10, where it can be protected with a layer of mulch.

Temperature Tolerance and Annual Growth

It tolerates temperatures as low as −17.7 °C (0 °F), and can also be grown as an annual.

Container Cultivation

It may be cultivated in containers or hanging baskets.

Propagation and Overwintering

Stem cuttings can be taken and overwintered indoors.