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Golden Shrimp

Pachystachys lutea Nees

Acanthaceae

Location in our garden

Principal

Synonym

Pachystachys albiflora Rizzini

Habitus

Shrubs. A perennial and evergreen subtropical shrub growing 80 cm until 1 m.

Part Used

  • Leaves
  • Flowers
  • Roots

Growing Requirements

  • Full Sunshine
  • Need Shade

Habitat

  • Forest
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Overview

This plant is native to lowland areas of Central and South America from El Salvador to Peru. Golden shrimp plant is an exotic addition to the Midwestern garden. In cooler zones they are sometimes grown as annual plants, but are more often grown in pots or planters and kept as house plants. Golden Shrimp Plants are exotic and beautiful additions to any house plant collection.

Vernacular Names

Hunboronia (Assamese), Camaron amarillo (Maya), Dick-Ähre (German), Gele garnalenplant (Dutch).

Agroecology

Grows well in tropical as well as warm hill areas. In coastal and milder areas plants can tolerate sunlight. In hot and dry areas they require shade. This plants require ample water. In the garden, Golden shrimp plants should be planted in full sun to partial shade. They should be grown in slightly acidic, fertile, well-drained soil.

Morphology

  • Roots - taproot.
  • Stems- typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; not particularly showy
  • Leaves - opposite, narrow-ovate, up to 12-15 centimeters long, with entire margins, simple leaves.
  • Flowers - in a large terminal spike, up to 10 centimeters long, with large, golden yellow cordate bracts.
  • Corolla - white, to 6.5 cm long (along upper lip), with a hooded 2-lobed upper lip and spreading to recurved 3-lobed lower lip.
  • Fruits - capsule.

Cultivation

  • Propagated by seeds and root soft wood cuttings. Cut about 4 inches of stem and dip them in rooting hormone before planting in potting soil.
  • The suitable temperature for its growth is 20-28 ℃

Chemical Constituents

Alkaloids, saponins, polyphenols.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Traditional Uses

  • One species in the Carribean is used as a hallucinogenic beverage.
  • Also used to treat fever, colds, coughs, and hair loss.
  • The Mishing tribe of Assam use the roots to treat pneumonia.

Part Used

Reference Sources

  1. ABI. (No date). Invasive Species Compendium. Pachystachys lutea (lollypops). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/38497. 20-10-2020.
  2. Electronic Data Information Source of UF/IFAS Extension. (No date). Pachystachys lutea Golden Shrimp Plant. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp452. 05-02-2021.
  3. House Plants Expert. (No date). Lollipop Plants. https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/lollipop-plant.html. 16-02-2021.
  4. India plants. (No date). Pachystachys lutea. https://www.indiaplants.com/plant-details.php?x=UbzxtLEQAFM. 05-02-2021.
  5. KewScience. (No date). Pachystachys lutea. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:52814-1.16-02-2021.
  6. Master Gardener Program. (No date). Golden Shrimp Plant, Pachystachys lutea. https://wimastergardener.org/article/golden-shrimp-plant-pachystachys-lutea/. 20-10-2020.
  7. StuarXchange. (2016). Philippine Medicinal Plant. Golden candle. http://www.stuartxchange.org/GoldenCandle. 20-10-2020.
  8. The Garden Helper. (No date). How to Grow and Care for Golden Shrimp Plants. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/golden_shrimp.html. 20-10-2021.
  9. Flora Fauna Web. 2021. Pachystachys lutea. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/2/2295. 29-11-2021.