Justicia californica (Benth.) D. Gibson

beloperone, chuparosa, chiparosa, hummingbird bush

Beloperone californica Benth.


USDA JUCA8


after Scottish horticultarilist James Justice / of California


CA AZ MX
zones 9-11










Leaf: Nearly leafless for most of the year; when leaves are present they are opposite, ovate or deltoid to orbicular, to 3/4 inch long, somewhat thickened, margins entire; shiny or covered in fine pubescence above and below.
Flower: Borne on axillary or terminal spikes; individual flowers perfect, tubular and very showy, scarlet red to orange or yellow, to 2 inches long; with adequate moisture flowers appear for most of the year, but most heavily in spring.
Fruit: A pubescent capsule to 3/4 inch round.
Twig: Gray-green and covered in fine pubescent.
Bark: Gray-green.
Form: A dense shrub to 6 feet tall and wide.



Site: Found on sandy or gravelly washes of the Sonoran Desert.

Tidbits:  An important food for hummingbirds, the common name chuparosa is Spanish for hummingbird.




Status code 1

0 5 0 2 0 3




opposite
capsule
pink yellow
broadleaf
NULL
simple minute
unlobed
entire
ovate deltoid orbicular
1
thick thin
straight pubescense 
NULL
narrow broad
1 3 5
scaly valvate fuzzy naked short
unarmed
NULL
NULL
shrub
dry mesic