A large shrub native to the tropical regions of Mexico and Central America, thriving in humid, semi-shaded forest understories. It is an evergreen species that can grow to heights of 6 to 10 feet and forms dense clumps, especially in warm climates with consistent moisture. Widely cultivated as an ornamental in gardens from southern Florida to Southeast Asia, it is appreciated in landscape design for its floral structure and prolonged blooming period, which in tropical climates may last from late spring to early winter. The flowers are bright golden yellow and emerge in dense terminal spikes, each inflorescence composed of many tubular blossoms with long, curved upper lips and a shorter, enclosed lower lip, arranged in tight whorls around the stem, giving the appearance of a cylindrical floral plume. These inflorescences can reach up to 10 inches in length and are held above the foliage. Its root system is shallow but fibrous, allowing for easy propagation by cuttings, and it is tolerant of pruning, often cut back to promote bushier flowering. Photographed in Villeta, Colombia.