Greek pachys — thick, stachys — spike.

Evergreen shrubs and herbs. Leaves opposite. Flower clusters in terminal spikes with large overlapping bracts. Calyx of 5 lobes. Flower tube showy and 2-lipped. Stamens 2, attached near the base of the flower tube. Fruit a capsule containing 4 seeds.

Grown for the attractive flower spikes with prominent coloured bracts.

Generally by softwood cuttings.

Stamens 2. Differs from Justicia in having stamens attached at the base of the flower tube rather than in the throat.

18 species from tropical America.

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.