Commemorating Dr Alexander Russell (1715–68), physician, traveller and author.

Evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, sometimes with rush-like, drooping stems. Leaves simple, opposite or whorled, sometimes scale-like. Flowers in axillary clusters, occasionally solitary. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla tubular or funnel-shaped, more or less 2-lipped and 5-lobed; summer. Stamens 4.

Grown for the spectacular, rush-like foliage and bright red flowers over a long flowering period; sometimes used in hanging baskets.

Seed, division, layering or softwood cuttings.

Rush-like foliage.

52 species from Mexico to Cuba and Colombia.

Carlson (1957).

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Scrophulariaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.