Family: Rubiaceae
Common name: Ashanti blood, Red flag bush, Prophet’s tears, Red mussaenda, Tropical dogwood
Ashanti blood or Red Mussaenda is beautiful tropical plant loved for its lush green leaves and deep red colored bracts or modified sepals that cover the tiny white flowers.
They are native to tropical Africa, particularly from regions like Ghana and Nigeria, though they have now established themselves in the wild in many tropical countries.
Plant characteristics
The plant can grow to a height of 2-3 meters with a well-rounded growth habit. The bushy crown and quick growing nature makes it an ideal hedge or border plant, which can be trimmed occasionally to maintain its shape.
The dark red bracts are actually not part of the flower, they are just modified sepals that surround the small white, star-shaped flowers.
Deep red bracts contrast with green leaves to make this plant a feast for the eyes, and a magnet for butterflies as well as hummingbirds.
The leaves of Red Mussaenda are large, green, glossy, elliptical, with prominent veins, serrated edges, and are covered in tiny white hairs. They are about 10 to 20 cm long, arranged opposite each other along the stems.
The flowers have white petals or corolla with a deep red center, surrounded by deep red, showy bracts. These bracts are the main attraction, varying in color from bright red to pink, coral, or white, depending on the cultivar.
Red Mussaenda plants rarely produce small, inconspicuous fruits that contain seeds, but the are not very common or noticed among the leaves and flowers.
Gardening tips
Red Mussaenda or Ashanti blook plants are closely related to Mussaenda Philippica which has flowers with yellow petals and a wide range of bract colors like orange, peach, and white. Whereas Mussaenda erythrophylla has white flowers with deep red bracts.
These plants prefer full sunlight for abundant blooming, though they can also flourish in partial sunlight. They are very drought-toleant once established in the soil.
Ocassional fertilization will do wonders to the plant’s health and flowering. Red Mussaenda are excellent outdoor plants, and will not survive indoors unless there is good 4-6 hours of bright sunlight.
Pruning the plants after flowering will help it grow well, without long, leggy stems. Hedge plants can be pruned severely to maintain the shape and structure. Parts of the plant are used in the treatment of stomach ailments, ulcers, and jaundice.
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings which root well in garden soil.
Photographed at: Nandi hills, Bangalore and Choondi, Aluva.
