Plant · GBIF taxon 8026687
Flame acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidusAlso known as Wright's Desert Honeysuckle, Hummingbird Bush, Wright Acanthus, Texas Firecracker
Flame acanthus is a tough, drought-tolerant native shrub that produces a profusion of flame-orange tubular blossoms from midsummer through fall. Its nectar-rich flowers serve as a vital energy source for migrating hummingbirds and native butterflies across arid landscapes. Mature plants develop pale, peeling bark that provides distinctive winter texture after the bright green leaves drop with the first heavy frost.
FloweringDrought-TolerantAttracts Pollinators
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Deer
- Livestock
ThreatsUrban development and extreme winter freezes
HabitatsRocky hillsides, desert canyons, limestone brush country, and dry gardens
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcanthaceae
- SpeciesAnisacanthus quadrifidus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Hummingbird Watching: Stand quietly nearby during warm summer afternoons to catch visiting pollinators in action.
- Garden Care: Prune back heavily in early spring to promote dense new growth and abundant flower buds.
- Winter ID: Inspect old branches for pale, papery shedding bark when the plant is dormant.
Image unavailableCongener 
Close Relative (c) johnyochum, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by johnyochum · cc-byFamily Member
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