Brazilian Red-Cloak

Description

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys is a species of Magnoliopsida described by Gustav Lindau. Megaskepasma erythrochlamys belongs to the genus Megaskepasma, and the family Acanthaceae. Megaskepasma is a monotypic genus of plants containing the single species Megaskepasma erythrochlamys, known by the common name Brazilian red-cloak. Native to Venezuela and elsewhere in South America, it is a free branching, upright showy tropical shrub that grows to 3 m high with appressed reddish hairs, stout stems, and broad ovate 12–30 cm long dark green leaves with pink midrib. It is grown as an ornamental shrub in climates from warm temperate to tropical for its inflorescence, large erect heads of conspicuous crimson bracts, and two-lipped white flowers. This plant prefers a rich soil and is propagated from seed or cuttings.