IDENTIFICATION OF FIRECRACKER FLOWER (Crossandra infundibuliformis)

FIRECRACKER FLOWER (Crossandra infundibuliformis)

The common name "firecracker flower" refers to the seed pods, which are found after the flower has dried up, and tend to "explode" when near high humidity or rainfall. The "explosion" releases the seeds onto the ground, thereby creating new seedlings. It is popularly known as kanakambaram in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu and kanakambara in Kannada. In Maharashtra and Goa it is known as aboli. They are the state flower of Goa. There are two kinds of aboli, the sadi or simple ones, these are a lighter shade of orange, and they bloom. The ratan aboli is a darker shade of orange, and they remain buds.

Morphological character

Habitus : low  shrubs species, height 25-33.5cm. Stem diameter <2cm; cylindrical rod shape; green stem colo; smooth stem surface. Leaf spreading layout; leaf stalk length <2cm; leaf stalk color green; leaf base flat; curved leaf edge; leaf edge tapered; leaf surface color green; leaf surface color pale green; leaf reinforcement pinnate. Flower growing at the tip; single flower; attached petals; number of petals 3-5; orange petal color.

Classification

Kingdom  :      Plantae

Clade       :       Tracheophytes

Clade        :      Angiosperms

Clade       :       Eudicots

Clade       :       Asterids

Order       :       Lamiales

Family     :       Acanthaceae

Genus      :       Crossandra

Species    :       C. Infundibuliformis