Crossandra

Perennial herbs or small shrubs. Inflorescence a terminal spike, often borne on a long peduncle. Bracts prominent, ovate; bracteoles as a long as calyx. Calyx ± zygomorphic with a short tube and 5 longer lobes, the upper lobe broadest and often 2-toothed. Corolla 1-lipped, yellow, orange or red, the lip 5-lobed; adaxial suture slit. Stamens 4, all 1-thecous, included within the corolla tube; filaments epipetalous for most of their length. Disk annular. Ovary ellipsoid. Seeds borne on retinacula.

Crossandra is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae, comprising 54 species that occur in Africa, Madagascar, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent. Some species, especially Crossandra infundibuliformis, are cultivated for their brightly colored flowers.

Crossandra infundibuliformis

A Photo of Crossandra 'Fortuna'