Sanchezia

Sanchezia speciosa Leonard

san-CHEESE-ee-ah spee-ee-OH-saw

Acanthaceae

Explanation of name:  Generic name for J. Sanchez, Professor of Botany in Spain. Speciosa means pretty.

Commonly misapplied name: Sanchezia nobilis Hook. f. (http://www.hear.org/pier/species/sanchezia_speciosa.htm)

Natural range: Tropical America, not Florida

Recognition:  Fast-growing, strongly vertical shrub or semishrub having large, opposite elliptic leaves with regular creamy yellow stripes corresponding to the lateral veins. Flowers tubular orange-yellow, with red bracts.

Landscape uses:  Sanchezias are valued for their showy foliage.  This species brightens up mixed plantings. The plants tolerate a wide diversity in light conditions and are best in bright but partial shade.  Useful as container plants if moist and humid.  CHR suggests soft water.