Overlapping into strings that look like lobsters - what is this?

Shrimp plant is a perennial herb or evergreen subshrub of the Acanthaceae family, genus Justicia. The plant height is 1-2 m, the stems are slender and weak, much branched, and the whole plant is covered with hairs. The leaves are ovate or elliptical, with entire margins. The spike inflorescence is terminal and drooping, 6-9 cm long, with persistent bracts in brown, red, yellow-green or yellow, and the flowers are white, labiate, and shrimp-shaped, with the upper lip entire or slightly 2-lobed, the lower lip 3-shallowly lobed, and 3 rows of purple spots at the base. Capsule.

Shrimp plant is native to Mexico and is cultivated in many places around the world. It likes warmth and humidity, likes light and is also fairly shade-tolerant, and is not cold-tolerant. Propagation is mainly by cuttings. Its bracts overlap into strings and droop downward, and the inflorescence is about 10 cm long, resembling a lobster or a fox tail, very interesting. It blooms all year round, is suitable for potted cultivation, and can be placed on indoor high shelves for viewing, or used for flower bed arrangements.

Shrimp plant

Morphological characteristics:

A much-branched herb, 20-50 cm tall; stems cylindrical, covered with short stiff hairs. Leaves ovate, 2.5-6 cm long, apex shortly acuminate, base narrowed into a slender petiole, margin entire, both surfaces covered with short stiff hairs. Spike inflorescence dense, slightly curved and drooping, 6-9 cm long; bracts brick red, 1.2-1.8 cm long, covered with short soft hairs; calyx white, about 1/4 the length of the corolla tube; corolla white, with red spots on the throat ridges, 3.2 cm long, extending beyond the bracts, corolla limb deeply parted to the middle, covered with short soft hairs. Capsules not seen.

Shrimp plant

Origin and habitat:

It is very common in gardens and flower nurseries in southern China, and grows well whether potted or planted in the open ground, such as cultivated in Haikou People's Park in Hainan. In central regions, however, it must overwinter in a greenhouse. Native to Mexico, and naturalized in Florida, USA.

Growth habits:

It likes moisture, is relatively drought-tolerant, and likes loose, fertile, well-drained neutral and slightly acidic soil. Full sun or partial sun, it prefers warm, humid environments, and is cultivated in greenhouses. The minimum temperature needs to be 5-10°C, and the suitable growth temperature is 18-28°C. It likes sunlight and is also fairly shade-tolerant, avoids exposure to strong sun, and likes moisture. It blooms continuously all year round. The fruiting period is year-round. Habits: It prefers warm, humid environments and is cultivated in greenhouses. The minimum temperature needs to be 5-10°C. It likes sunlight and is also fairly shade-tolerant, avoids exposure to strong sun, and likes moisture. It blooms continuously all year round.

Shrimp plant

Main value:

It blooms all year round, and its persistent bracts overlap into strings, resembling a lobster, very peculiar and interesting. It is suitable for potted cultivation, placed on indoor high shelves for viewing in all four seasons, and can also be used for flower bed arrangements or to make bonsai. Potted plants decorate windowsills, studies, and balconies, and can also be planted along roadsides and walls in courtyards for viewing. In gardens, it is often planted in groups along roadsides and in flower beds for viewing.