Odontonema tubaeforme
Common name
Cardinal flower, Ffre spike
Family
Acanthaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Distribution
Exotic. In New Zealand recorded sparingly naturalised at Doubtless Bay (Coopers Beach), Kaitaia, and Auckland.
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Life cycle
Most New Zealand occurrences stem from vegetative spread, the plants arising from poorly disposed of garden waste. However seedlings have also been collected at one site near Cooper’s Beach.
Year naturalised
2005
Origin
Central America
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Tolerances
Frost tender