Family: Acanthaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Firecracker plant (Crossandra infundibuliformis) is a tropical ornamental native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It is a small, evergreen shrub known for its glossy green leaves and eye-catching, fan-shaped flowers that range from bright orange to salmon. The blooms are produced over a long season in warm climates, making this plant a favorite for gardens, borders, and containers. Firecracker plant thrives in partial shade with regular moisture and is commonly used in landscaping for its vibrant color, compact growth habit, and ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies.

Risks, Threats & Management:
Crossandra infundibuliformis is considered low risk in Hawaiʻi and is not known to be invasive or naturalized in natural areas. It does not typically spread aggressively and relies on cultivation for persistence in the landscape. With proper care—such as preventing garden waste from being dumped into natural areas and monitoring plants for unwanted spread—this species can be grown responsibly. When planted thoughtfully, firecracker plant can be a colorful addition to gardens without posing a significant threat to native ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range (e.g., St. Croix, La Réunion)
  
• Broad tropical/subtropical climate suitability
  
• Shade tolerant at some life stages
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions
  
• Produces viable seeds that are forcibly ejected
  
• Self-compatible (can reproduce without other plants)
  
• Can spread vegetatively via stem rooting
  
• History of repeated ornamental introductions
  
• Propagules intentionally dispersed by humans
  
• Listed as an environmental weed in some regions

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic to humans/animals
  
• Low seed production; no persistent seed bank
  
• No evidence of unintentional dispersal (e.g., via wind or contaminants)
  
• No other weedy species in its genus