FNPS Plant Database
Hamelia patens
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Rubiaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
This species is cold sensitive and will die back if it freezes. Usually resprouts from the base.
There are recent observations of the plant in north Florida where it appears to be naturalizing. This is "assissted migration" and could be an the that it may become invasive outside of its range
Availability:
Propagation:
Readily available from native nurseries. Easily transplanted.
May sucker and suckers can be moved. Readily grows from seed.
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
9A,9B,10A,10B,11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology
Wildlife:
Larval host for the pluto sphinx moth
Butterflies, noted for attracting zebrawing
Attracts long-tongued bees including bumblebees.
Birds and small mammals eat the fruits and disperse seeds.
Hummingbirds come for nectar
Native Habitats:
Natural Range in Florida:
Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Closely related plants occur in the Caribbean and Central America. Yellow or orange flowering plants are not the Florida native.
In recent years plants have been found growing wild near homesites in north Florida -- what you plant can escape into the wild if planted beyond the natural range. Please plant responsibly - this plant has the potential to be invasive when used outside of its natural range. Please act responsibly.
Citations:
Hammer, Roger L. 2015. Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies in tropical Florida. University Press of Florida. (butterflies and hummingbirds)
Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. 1999. Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.
Huegel, Craig, N. 2010. Native plant landscaping for Florida wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (wildlife uses).
Nelson, Gil. 2003. Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.
Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A gardener's guide to Florida's native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Tras, Pamela. 2001. Gardening for Florida's butterflies. Great Outdoors Publishing, St. Petersburg, FL.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu /). Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
