Shrubby perennial herb to about 60 cm tall. Leaves lanceolate, 5-12 cm long, about 5 cm wide, wavy-edged, glossy. Flower clusters forming spikes about 15 cm long in the terminal leaf axils. Flowers in 2s or 3s, appearing from triangular bracts, pink to orange or red with a small yellow eye; spring to summer.

S India, Sri Lanka

The flowers are reported to have aphrodisiac properties.

Best known as an indoor plant.

The cultivar C. infundibuliformis 'Tropic Flame' is listed.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Acanthaceae. 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.