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enter image description here

South Florida currently about 10 feet tall

Ambo100
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user10795
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  • This doesn't look like an evergreen plant - does it lose its leaves if it gets cold or in what passes for winter where you are? – Bamboo Feb 19 '15 at 14:37

4 Answers4

5

This looks like a Clerodendrum quadriloculare.

J. Musser
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T63
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I agree that it appears to be a Clerodendrum, perhaps a Clerodendrum quadriloculare, also called Starburst, Starburst Clerodendrum, Shooting stars, and Firecracker bush. Although it used to be classified as a Verbena, scientific studies now place it in the Lamiaceae family, which is extremely large and includes varieties of mint and other herbs.

Starburst can be used as a small tree or shrub, depending on your preference. The maximum height is generally 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters). Pruning is easy, and, like many shrubs, is best done in the fall, or in the spring before budding.

It thrives best in USDA Zone 9b-11 (minimum of 25°F, -4°C), which is probably where you are in Florida. It prefers acidic soil, with a pH of 7.5 or below, especially to produce full, strong leaves. Once established, though, it requires only moderate care to keep it healthy for many years.

Depending on the specific variety, leaves can be a solid color, like yours, or variegated. The tubular flower clusters attract hummingbirds and long-nosed butterflies, so keep an eye out for some pretty visitors!

Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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This appears to be Ixora cccinea; from the Wikipedia article:

Ixora coccinea (or jungle geranium, flame of the woods, and jungle flame) is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is a common flowering shrub native to Southern India and Sri Lanka. It has become one of the most popular flowering shrubs in South Florida gardens and landscapes. Its name derives from an Indian deity.

and:

I. coccinea is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub, commonly 4–6 ft (1.2–2 m) in height, but capable of reaching up to 12 ft (3.6 m) high. It has a rounded form, with a spread that may exceed its height. The glossy, leathery, oblong leaves are about 4 in (10 cm) long, with entire margins, and are carried in opposite pairs or whorled on the stems. Small tubular, scarlet flowers in dense rounded clusters 2-5 in (5–13 cm) across are produced almost all year long.

Niall C.
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Rugmangathan
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    I don't think your identification is correct. Ixora has red or red pinkish flowers which look quite different. See here http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Ixora_coccinea_dwarf_red.jpg – kevinskio Feb 19 '15 at 12:19
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    I've edited your post to make it clear which parts were cited from elsewhere. Please see the [help center](http://gardening.stackexchange.com/help/referencing) for information on how to reference material written by other people. – Niall C. Feb 19 '15 at 15:31
  • Are the leaves opposite or alternate? I couldn't tell from your picture... – stormy Feb 21 '15 at 20:20
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Looks like Loropetalum chinense f. rubrum only the leaves are much larger...

Loropetalum Chinese Fringe FlowerFringe Flower

stormy
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    If you aren't sure, it would probably have been best to have written a comment instead. Imo, it looks very dissimilar. – J. Musser Feb 20 '15 at 02:03
  • I wish someone could identify it - I think its fab, but I can't pin it down, frustratingly. – Bamboo Feb 20 '15 at 12:46
  • You really need to put more detail in this answer as to why it is the plant you think it is. How about a picture? – kevinskio Feb 20 '15 at 12:48
  • The flowers look the same, the leaves look a bit too large but that could be because the plant is in shade. I'll post a picture... – stormy Feb 21 '15 at 17:46
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    It does get a bit confusing as to when to answer and when to comment. Last time I identified something tenatively, I commented versus answering. I was reprimanded and told to answer instead...grins! – stormy Feb 21 '15 at 20:19
  • @stormy Funny, a similar thing happened to me. When I posted photos of some leaves of a tree a couple of months ago (for identification), they said they need photos of spring leaves (and how can I possibly provide them in October?). And when I posted spring leaves in another question for another plant, they said they need autumn leaves. – VividD Dec 19 '17 at 09:09