Justicia californica     
Chuparosa   
Acanthaceae Family     

Justicia californica in typical leafless form

Form: twiggy shrub, usually leafless
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: to 6ft, spread to 12ft
Leaves: often none; usually present only in warm season when actively growing; simple, round to ovate, 1/4in long
Flowers: on terminal portion of branches, long tubular red blooms from early May through fall
Fruit: not significant
Stems/Trunks: green stems, with thick succulent appearance, twiggy, arching form; low older stems may get woody
Range/Origin: Sonoran deserts; elevations to 2500ft
Hardiness: damaged in high 20s, freezes to ground in teens but will recover

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• rounded evergreen shrub
• color
• attracts hummingbirds

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun for best flower and habit
• Water: very little, drought tolerant; thrives on 1 watering per week
• Soil: tolerant, well drained; best in sand
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings, branches will root, best time for cuttings is early summer
• Maintenance: minimal; may overgrow allotted area if overwatered

NOTES:

found naturally in rocky areas or sandy washes
yellow flowering varieties also available

	Justicia californica in leaf
	(left) flower on branch terminal and leaf detail (right)

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This page was first created July 6, 2001 and last modified June 1, 2006.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
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