Fire-flame bush (Woodfordia fruticosa)

Family: Lythraceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Fire-flame bush, Woodfordia fruticosa, is a well-branched tropical shrub growing up to 5-7 m in height with a reddish-brown bark that peels off in strips. It is endemic to India. New shoots and leaves have black dots and circles of glands. The leaves are simple, covered with white hairs, and opposite or in rings of three. The flowers are in clusters of up to 17 on short shoots in the axils of leaves. Individual flowers are large and red-orange.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The flowers are eaten as food and used in the preparation of a cooling drink. (This report was a little unclear, and might have referred to the leaves.). — The flowers are eaten as food and used in the preparation of a cooling drink.; (This report was a little unclear, and might have referred to the leaves.).

Habitat & North American Range

Habitat Open, sunny places, often on disturbed soils and on old agricultural land. Open waste land and degraded places. (Zone 10)