A drought tolerant shrub originating from the American tropics, this vibrant flowering plant has found its way across the globe, earning both admiration and concern due to its invasive nature. The vibrant hue of its flowers can be transformed into dyes which have found applications in textile industries, particularly for coloring cotton fabrics. The leaf extract holds potential for pharmacological applications and displays toxicity against certain insect pests. It is a drought tolerant plant always in bloom. Photographed in Colombia and Florida.