About Hamelia patens Jacq.
Hamelia patens Jacq. is a large evergreen perennial shrub or small tree belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to the American subtropics and tropics, and its natural range extends from Florida in the southern United States, south all the way to Argentina. This plant has several common names: firebush, hummingbird bush, scarlet bush, and redhead. In Belize, its Mayan name is Ix Canaan, and it is also called 'Guardian of the Forest'. The plant's flowers attract hummingbirds, while other birds eat its fruit. Both hummingbirds and other birds also forage for small insects around the plant, which helps reduce pest populations. Butterflies, including the statira sulphur (Aphrissa statira) that is attracted to red flowering plants, also feed on the plant's flowers. The plant's fruits have a refreshing, acidic flavor and are edible for humans; in Mexico, the fruits are used to make a fermented drink. Hamelia patens is used in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
