This desert shrub has a low spreading habit with cane-like slender stems that are normally leafless. The bright green ovate leaves appear after rain and the dull scarlet tube-shaped flowers appear in a raceme during spring. 

Hardiness zones 9 to 10 

Justicia californica is naturally found from the Colorado Desert, California to Lower California growing in poor to moderately fertile well drained soils. It tolerates dry conditions and full sun to bright indirect light and is drought tolerant but frost tender. 

The California Shrimp Plant is grown for its drought tolerance and is planted in arid gardens or rockeries as a specimen. It is also grown as a container plant establishing from cuttings in 2 to 3 years. It is a suitable plant for roof gardens or planter boxes where watering may be neglected. ID 1435

Justicia (jūs-TIS-ee-a) californica (kal-ih-FOR-nik-uh)

Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Acanthus Family