Virginia Tech Dendrology

beloperone Acanthaceae Justicia californica (Benth.) D. Gibson Listen to the Latin symbol: JUCA8
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.
 flower twig form1 map
Additional Range Information: Justicia californica is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information