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Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Flame acanthus)
Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Torr.) Henrickson

Flame acanthus, Hummingbird bush, Wright's desert honeysuckle, Wright acanthus, Mexican flame, Wright's Mexican flame

Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)

Synonyms: Anisacanthus wrightii

USDA Symbol: ANQUW

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Native from west and south-central Texas into adjacent northern Mexico, Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii is a spreading, 3 to 5 ft. deciduous shrub with exfoliating bark; red-orange, tubular flowers; and light-green, lanceolate leaves.

Its brilliant summer-to-fall blooms, cheerful green foliage, pale bark, and ability to attract hummingbirds have made it increasingly popular in landscapes. Though found in the wild mostly in rocky, calcareous soils, it is adaptable both to the heavy soils of Houston and to the drying, confined conditions of pots. It is drought-tolerant and can survive low temperatures as far north as Dallas, though only the roots will survive the winters there and the whole plant will reemerge each year like a perennial from the ground. Though the attractive branches are somewhat brittle, it takes well to shearing and can make a dense, low hedge. As with other xeric plants within its range, rain will trigger a flush of blooms, covering the plant in fiery orange. In favorable conditions, it will seed out readily.

The species name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector who collected extensively in Texas (1837-1952), Cuba, and his native Connecticut.

The Acanthus family includes trees, shrubs and herbs. Stems are square; leaves are generally without teeth or lobes, and are opposite. The flowers are 2-lipped and almost radially symmetrical. There are 2–4 stamens; when 4, they are in unequal pairs.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Venation: Pinnately Veined
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Base: Rounded
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Breeding System: Hermaphroditic
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Normally no more than 3 ft tall but can reach 5 ft.
Leaf Color: Dull light green
Flower Size: 3-4 cm long
Sepals: calyx 5 mm; lobes ovate
Petals: lobes narrowly ovate & obtuse
Stamens: 2; epipetalous
Pistil: ovary ext. 2 mm above disk
Fruit Length: 15 mm
Fruit Color: brown capsules, black seeds

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: The northernmost variety of its species, Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii ranges from south-central Texas (the southern Edwards Plateau) and west Texas into northern Mexico. Its species, Anisacanthus quadrifidus, continues south to Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Rocky banks and floodplains of streams, shrublands (mattoral), and grasslands
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone. Adapts to a wide variety of soils, from rocky slopes to open areas.
Conditions Comments: This drought- and cold-tolerant shrub will adapt to a variety of soils and does well in patio pots. It blooms best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. As with many other xeric plants, rain triggers blooms.
Texas comments: Though native only to west Texas and the southern part of the Edwards Plateau, this plant is cold-tolerant enough to be used as far north as Dallas in north-central Texas, though it will die to the ground there during winter and reemerge from the roots in the spring.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A showy shrub with ornamental blooms for perennial gardens and other planned landscapes
Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Janais Patch, Texan Crescentspot
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Highly

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Texan Crescent
(Anthanassa texana)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Description: The easiest method of propagation is to take cuttings from the current season’s growth. Cut a 4 – 6 inch branch just below a node. Remove lower leaves and root in flats or small pots. Seeds can be planted in flats or outside, after the danger of frost has past. Sowing indoors allows for a sturdier plant to withstand mid-summer’s heat. Plant seeds 1/3 – 1/2 inch deep in a well-drained soil mix. Keep soil moist but not saturated.
Seed Collection: As soon as capsules begin to dry and turn brown but before they split open. Air dry and store in a cool, dry place for one season. Dust with insecticide.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Pruning in winter encourages more blooms and a compact shape. Where it dies to the ground in the winter (meaning leaves wont resprout from the branches but the whole plant regrows from the ground each year, in the manner of a perennial), cut back to the ground before spring.
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Hi.. I live in Southwest Austin and I am looking for a shrub that I can plant against the back of my house, which faces the north. I want something native, fairly low maintenance and not too large, as I would like them to be under the windows. I have several oaks in my backyard I get part-shade/part-sun. Thanks, Cindi
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest: Revised and Updated Edition (2001) Nokes, J.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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 Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-01-21
Research By: TWC Staff, MWJ, JSC, GDG

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