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Native Plant Database

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Hamelia patens (Scarletbush)
Cywinski, Rachel

Hamelia patens Jacq.

Scarletbush, Firebush

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

USDA Symbol: HAPA3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Scarletbush or firebush’s terminal clusters of five-lobed, tubular, bright-red flowers are followed by dark-red berries. The leaves of this showy, tropical shrub are either opposite or whorled. The plant grows 3-6 ft. high in the northern part of its range and up to 12 ft. in the southern part.

Scarletbush is a member of the madder family (family Rubiaceae) which includes herbs, shrubs, and trees, with flowers borne in a branched cluster. There are about 500 genera and 6,000 species that occur primarily in tropical regions, where woody representatives are most frequent. Madder (a dye), coffee, and quinine are obtained from the family. Gardenias are popular ornamentals in mild climates.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: FL
Native Distribution: S. & c. FL
Native Habitat: Hammocks; coastal dunes; shell middens
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N), VI(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Fertile to sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Hamelia patens is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Pluto sphinx
(Xylophanes pluto)

Food Source
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL
Hill Country Natives - Leander, TX

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hamelia patens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hamelia patens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hamelia patens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-11-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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