Manettia luteorubra

Flower name
Manettia luteorubra
Scientific name
Manettia luteorubra
Aliasマネッティア, Firecracker vine, ファイアークラッカー・バイン, Brazilian firecracker, ブラジリアン・ファイアークラッカー, Manettia inflata, Manettia, アラゲカエンソウ, 粗毛火焔草
Place of originParaguay-Uruguay
Place of floweringGreenhouse, Potted flower
Flowering seasonJanuary, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

What is Manettia luteorubra

With the demand for Christmas decorations, it is available year-round.

Manettia commonly called as Firecracker vine, Brazilian firecracker(scientific name: Manettia luteorubra) is a non-hardy, evergreen, perennial vine from the Rubiaceae family, originating from Paraguay to Uruguay. It was introduced to Japan during the Edo period and was named "Arage Kaenso" (meaning "Rough-Haired Flame Grass") due to the rough hairs on its corolla, which resemble the flame of a candle.
The stems, the undersides of the leaves, and the corolla are covered in hairs. The vines grow to a length of 2–4 meters. From summer to autumn, it blooms with small tubular flowers featuring a striking contrast of deep orange and yellow tips. These flowers are fragrant, and the slightly spread four shallow lobes at the flower’s tip make it appear as if the flower is "speaking," which is the origin of its flower language.

Its native habitat in tropical America makes it a summer plant that is weak against cold weather. However, its flower colors and shape resemble Christmas illuminations, resulting in high demand during the Christmas season. Therefore, it is cultivated in greenhouses and available year-round. Incidentally, the photo shown was taken on January 21.

Being a vine, it is enjoyed in the form of a trellis. While it can grow outdoors in summer, it is typically grown in pots so it can be brought indoors on cold winter days.

Similar Flowers: Manettia and Seemannia
The twining perennial "Manettia" from the Rubiaceae family and the perennial "Seemannia" from the Gesneriaceae family look alike. Both are plants native to South America and are rarely seen in Japan, so they may seem unfamiliar. Photos are shown below for reference.

Left:Manettia, Right: Seemannia(Gloxinia sylvatica）

Common name: Manettia luteorubra,
Scientific name: Manettia luteorubra, Scientific name 2: Manettia inflata,
aka: Manettia inflata, Firecracker vine, Brazilian firecracker,
Origin: Paraguay, Uruguay,
Life Form: Non-cold-hardy vine,
Leaf shape: ovate to ovate-lanceolate, Leaf inflorescence: alternate, leaflets: with, corolla shape: tubular; corolla length: 2 to 3 cm; flower diameter: 1 to 2 cm, Flower diameter: 1 to 2 cm, Flowering season: June to November, Flower color: Orange, Yellow, Use: Potted plants.

Related pages
Manettia(Manettia luteorubra)