Ruttya fruticosa,Ruttya Fruticosa, Rabbit Ears, Orange Bird, Hummingbird Plant

Common name:

Ruttya Fruticosa, Rabbit Ears, Orange Bird, Hummingbird Plant

Regional name:

Marathi - Rutya

Category: Shrubs, Groundcovers

Family: Acanthaceae or Crossandra or Thunbergia family

Light:

Sun growing, Semi shade, Shade growing

Water:

Normal, Can tolerate less, Can tolerate more

Primarily grown for:

Flowers

Flowering season:

Year-around flowering, Flowers in flushes throughout the year

Flower or Inflorescence color:

Orange, Red

Foliage color:

Green

Plant Height or length:

1 to 2 meters

Plant Spread or Width:

1 to 2 meters

Plant Form:

Spreading, Upright or Erect

Special Character:

• Good for making bonsai
• Good for screening
• Good for Hedges and Borders
• Good for Edges ie very small hedge or border
• Suitable for road median planting
• Grows best in humid and warm regions

Generally available in India in quantities of:

Over hundreds

Plant Description:

- A not so often used landscape plant. Foliage is pretty fresh green and shining.
- Origion - South Africa.
- Named in honour of Dr. John Rutty.
- A small shrub with woody branches.
- Leaves ovate to lanceolate, 3-5 cm long, wrinkled.
- Flower - 4.5 cm long, tubular, two lipped, orange red with a black blotch at the centre, in few flowered clusters.
- A small shrub with pretty flowers in small clusters appearing almost the year round.

Growing tips:

- Prefers warm climate and high humidity.
- Plants grow best in slightly acidic soils with good drainage and good fertility.
- It can be grown in both sun and sami shade