Russelia

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}}

{{Automatic taxobox

|image = Russelia equisetiformis1.jpg

|image_caption = Russelia equisetiformis

|taxon = Russelia

|authority = Jacq.{{cite POWO | title = Russelia | id = 30040966-2 | access-date = 27 August 2023}}

|subdivision_ranks = Species

|subdivision = See text

|synonyms =

• Flamaria {{Au|Raf.}}

|synonyms_ref =

}}

Russelia is a genus of flowering plants in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. It is sometimes placed in the families Scrophulariaceae or Veronicaceae. The name honours Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell (1715–1768).{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIOvJSJs-IkC |first=Umberto |last=Quattrocchi |title=CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology |volume=IV R-Z |year=2000 |publisher=Taylor & Francis US |isbn=978-0-8493-2678-3 |page=2354}} Members of the genus are commonly known as firecracker plants or coralblows. Russelia species grow in many parts of the world and are mildly drought resistant.

Russelia equisetiformis and Russelia sarmentosa are commonly used to hide unattractive retaining walls or fences because they grow quickly and have dense foliage. Growing to a maximum height of {{convert|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}, they are shrubs which will tolerate full sun to partial shade. As evergreens they bloom for most of the year.

Due to their attractively coloured flowers, these bushes attract birds and insects (such as bees) that feed on flower nectar.