About Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees
Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees is an erect, evergreen shrub that reaches 1 meter in height. It has glossy leaves with wavy margins and fan-shaped flowers that can appear at any time of year. The flowers have an unusual shape with 3 to 5 asymmetrical petals. They grow from four-sided stalked spikes, and have a tube-like stalk 2 centimeters long. Flower colors range from the common orange to salmon-orange, apricot, coral, red, yellow, and even turquoise.
For cultivation and uses, this plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 °C. In temperate and tropical regions, it is grown as a houseplant. It is most often cultivated in containers, but it can also be an attractive addition to garden beds. The flowers have no fragrance, but stay fresh for several days while still on the plant. A well-cared-for plant will bloom continuously for many years. It can be propagated from either seeds or cuttings. This plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, a confirmation that was issued in 2017. Its tiny flowers are often strung together into strands, sometimes alongside white jasmine flowers. Because of this, they are in high demand to make garlands, which are used for offerings to temple deities or to decorate women's hair.
