firecracker flower
firecracker flower Lexical Profile
• noun
A tropical evergreen subshrub (Crossandra infundibuliformis) native to southern India and Sri Lanka, cultivated widely as a houseplant for its continuous display of asymmetrical, vibrant orange or apricot blooms.
"She placed a potted firecracker flower on the sunroom windowsill, hoping its vibrant tropical orange petals would brighten the room year-round."
North American A perennial herbaceous plant (Dichelostemma ida-maia) native to northern California and southern Oregon, featuring striking tubular red flowers with reflexed green tips that closely resemble small lit firecrackers.
"While hiking through the oak woodlands of northern California, the botanist spotted a striking cluster of native firecracker flowers hanging from a slender stem."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name derives from the plants' vibrant red or orange tubular blossoms that resemble small explosive firecrackers, and in some species, seed pods that burst open with a popping sound when exposed to high humidity.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.