Odontonema strictum
(Cardinal Guard, Firespike, Scarlet Flame)


Synonyms:  Odontonema cuspidatum, Odontonema tubiforme
Origin: Native to Central America
Family:  Acanthaceae  (Acanthus)
Light:  Full sun/ part shade
Height:  3-6'
Spacing:  3'
Blooms:  Floriferous, showy, inch-long, bright red, tubular, erect foot-long panacles, late Summer-Winter
Foliage:  4-6" long, evergreen, glossy, smooth, opposite, wavy margins, pointed tips
Soil:  Well-drained, mildly acidic, neutral, moist, tolerates some drought
Water:  Moderate-low
Fertilizer:  During growing season
Uses:  Landscaping, Fall garden, Winter garden, mass, hedge, container, mixed shrub borders, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden
Propagation:  Cuttings (In Spring)

Comments:  Odontonema strictum or Cardinal Guard or Firespike or Scarlet Flam or Odontonema cuspidatum or Odontonema tubirome is a subtropical or tropical shrub with an upright, growth habit.  It is a native of Central America.  In late Summer or early Fall, Odontonema strictum produces floriferous foot-long panicles of inch-long red tubular flowers.  Hummingbirds and butterflies are magnetized by the nectar-rich flowers.  Cardinal Guard has smooth, glossy, opposite, evergreen foliage with wavy margins and pointed tips.  Scarlet Flame is easily propagated from cuttings taken in Spring.  It performs best in well-darined, rich, moist, acidic to neutral soil in a sunny to part shade environment.  Odontonema cuspidatum is low maintenance and tolerates some drought when established.  Fertilize plants for during growing season for optimum growth.  Odontonema cuspidatum is a semi-woody shrub in tropical areas.  It is an easily manageable plant.  In zones 8 and 9, frost cause the plant to die back to ground level and re-emerges in Spring with a stronger growth.  Mass plant Odontonema tubiforme in a mixed shrub border or as a hedge for a spectacular Fall display.  Scarlet Flame can also be container cultivated for the patio but the height will be shorter.  I love its awesome fiery blossoms which really stands out in the sunny landscape.  Cardinal Guard is an attention getter.