A shrub native to regions spanning Southern Brazil to Northeastern Argentina. Chinese lantern has everblooming flowers in colors of white, yellow, pink, red, and orange due to different cultivars and hybrids. Cultivated primarily as an ornamental plant in warm temperate to tropical areas, it's a popular choice among garden enthusiasts. The petals and leaves are known to promote blood circulation, alleviate blood stasis, and possess muscle-relaxing properties, according to some studies. It has naturalized in Central America. The flowers are edible.