Other common names of Red Ixora are Ixora, Jungle Geranium, Flame of the woods, Sacred Ixora, Needle flower. In Kannada it is known as Kepula, in Sanskrit it is Bandhuka, Raktaka, in Hindi it is Rugmini. Botanical name is Ixora coccinea and belongs to Rubiaceae (Coffee) family.
The name Ixora is derived from “Ishwara” (Lord Shiva). This plant is native to Asia.
The tree grows to a height of 1 meter. Leaves are green, opposite and around 6.5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width.
Flowers are Orange-Red and blooms at the end of the branches. The flowers are dense clusters with short stalk. The flowers are 1.5 mm long.
This plant is very popular as it blooms through out the year. As Ixora is an attractive plant, it is planted in most of the public as well as private gardens.
The flowers are offered to gods in South India especially the coastal Karnataka region. Some parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The wood is used to make tool handles.
Propagation:
Propagation of Ixora is from cuttings. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Feed once in a month.
