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Ixora
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Ixora

Ixora coccinea

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameIxora
DescriptionVibrant tropical shrub featuring dense, rounded clusters of small, tubular flowers in brilliant shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, or white. Each flower cluster contains dozens of individual blooms creating showy, long-lasting displays. Blooms nearly year-round in warm climates with glossy, evergreen foliage. Named after Hindu deity Ishwara, widely used in temple offerings in India. Fast-growing, easy-care shrub perfect for hedges, borders, and containers in tropical and subtropical gardens.
FamilyRubiaceae
GenusIxora
TribeIxoreae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(4) C(4) A4 G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 4 fused sepals (small), 4 fused petals forming tube with spreading lobes, 4 stamens attached to corolla tube, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Ixora' from Sanskrit 'Ishwara' (Lord Shiva), as flowers offered in Hindu temples. Portuguese adapted to 'Ixora.' 'Jungle Flame' and 'Flame of the Woods' describe vibrant colors. 'Jungle Geranium' for geranium-like flower clusters. About 500 Ixora species, mostly tropical Asian
  • Flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long, small tubular blooms with 4 spreading lobes. Arranged in dense, rounded clusters 2-5 inches across containing 15-60 individual flowers. Colors include red, scarlet, orange, coral, pink, salmon, yellow, and white. Blooms nearly year-round in tropics, primarily spring through fall elsewhere
  • Evergreen shrub that blooms continuously in warm conditions. Fast-growing, reaching mature size in 2-3 years. Compact, rounded growth habit. Responds well to pruning for shaping. Popular hedge and foundation plant. Thrives in heat and humidity
  • Grows 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall and wide, dwarf varieties 2-3 feet. Compact, rounded habit. Lifespan of 15-25+ years. Propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings (root in 4-6 weeks), air layering, or seeds. Prune to maintain shape and size
  • Native to tropical Asia, particularly southern India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. I. coccinea from India. Found in tropical forests and coastal areas. Now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially Florida, Hawaii, Caribbean, Southeast Asia
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (blooms best in sun). Needs well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5). Water regularly; keep soil evenly moist. Feed monthly during growing season. Sensitive to cold (damaged below 40°F/4°C). Zones 10-11 outdoors; houseplant elsewhere
  • Excellent hedge, border, foundation, and container plant. Blooms nearly year-round in warm climates. Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Flowers used in Hindu religious ceremonies and temple offerings. Low maintenance once established. Symbolizes passion and desire. Perfect for continuous color in tropical gardens

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificIxora coccinea
English (Alternate)Jungle Flame, Jungle Geranium, Flame of the Woods, West Indian Jasmine
HindiRugmini (रुग्मिनी)
Tamilவிருச்சி (Viruchi), வெட்சி) (Vedchi),சிந்தூரம் (Sinduram), இட்லிப்பூ(Idly Poo)
TeluguPuttapala chettu (పుట్టపాల చెట్టు), కోరనన్ (Kōranan), మంకానా (Maṅkānā)
Malayalamചെത്തി (Chethi), തെച്ചി (Thechi), തെറ്റി (Thetti)
Kannadaಕೆಪುಲಾ (Kepulā), ಕೆಂಪುಲಗಿಡ (Kempulagiḍa), ಕಿಸ್ಕರ (Kiskara)
Sanskritबन्धुजीवक (bandhujivak), परन्ति (paranti)
Bengaliরঙ্গন (Rangan)
FrenchIxore
Russianогненный куст (ognennyy kust), огненное растение (ognennoe rastenie)
SpanishIxora, Ixora roja, Brea, Llama de la selva
GermanJungle-Flamme, Roter, Büschelrose

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.