Justicia spicigera

Justicia spicigera (Mexican honeysuckle, firecracker bush, moyotle, moyotli, mohintli, muicle, trompetilla, yaxan,[1] or ych-kaan in Mayan) is an evergreen shrub with tubular orange flowers.[2] The species is native to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Justicia spicigera
Mexican honeysuckle: Justicia spicigera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Justicia
Species:
J. spicigera
Binomial name
Justicia spicigera

Description

Muicle shrubs grow perennially in full sun or partial shade, and typically reach heights of between 2–5 feet. Their leaves are around 2 inches long, and their bright orange flowers attract hummingbirds.[3] They prefer warm weather, but can tolerate temperatures down to about -3 °C (26 °F).[4] Muicle is known to have purple, pink, green, and orange colors when the leaves are boiled. Different pH values on muicle extracts modified the structure of the molecules and solubility, so depending on the pH of the plant, the color will vary. [5]

Phytochemicals

The leaves and flowers contain various phytochemicals, including carbohydrates, pectins, flavonoids, tannins, essential oils, and minerals.[6]

Uses

Muicle can be made into a tea by boiling the leaves in water. As the leaves boil, they dye the water deep blue or indigo, explaining why the plant has also been traditionally used to make dye.[6][7] Muicle has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments.[6] Muicle is often used as a brightening agent in laundry.[1][7]

References
  1. "Justicia spicigera - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  2. Justicia spicigera: University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension
  3. Kress, Stephen W. (2007). Hummingbird Gardens: Turning Your Yard Into Hummingbird Heaven. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. p. 91. ISBN 9781889538334. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  4. Martin, Chris A. "Arizona State University Virtual Library of Arizona Landscape Plants: Justicia Spicigera". Arizona State University.
  5. Baqueiro Pena, Itzamna (July 2013). "Antioxidant and Coloring Characteristics of Muicle (Justicia spicigera)". ResearchGate.
  6. Guerrero-Beltrán, José A.; Baqueiro-Peña, Itzamná (6 September 2014). "Uses of Justicia spicigera in medicine and as a source of pigments". Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 4 (9): 401–414. doi:10.31989/ffhd.v4i9.150. ISSN 2160-3855. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  7. "Justicia spicigera Schltdl". Hortus Camdenensis, Colin Mills. 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2019.


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