Greek pseudes — false, Eranthemum — a closely related and similar genus.
Evergreen shrubs, subshrubs and herbs. Leaves opposite, entire or toothed. Flower clusters with bracts having 1, 2 or 3 flowers each. Calyx with 5 narrow lobes. Flower tube long and narrow, with 5 spreading, unequal lobes. Stamens 2, attached in the throat. Fruit a capsule containing 2-4 seeds.
Mostly grown as indoor plants or under glass for the colourful foliage.
Generally by softwood cuttings.
Differs from Eranthemum in having inconspicuous bracts and overlapping floral lobes that are not twisted.
About 50 species from the tropics.
Source: (2002). Acanthaceae. In: . 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.
