Family: Acanthaceae
Author: (Forssk.) Vahl
Bibliography: Symb. Bot. 2: 15 (1791)
Year: 1791
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Justicia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, SW. Arabian Pen.
Description
The Yellow justicia, scientifically known as Justicia flava, is a distinctive and lovely member of the Acanthaceae family. First described in the seminal botanical work Symbolae Botanicae in 1791, this species was classified by the botanist Vahl, building on the earlier observations of Forsskål.
This vibrant plant is widely recognized for its charming yellow flowers, which lend a splash of color to the regions it inhabits. Geographically, the Yellow justicia is distributed across tropical and southern parts of Africa, extending its presence into the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. This broad range speaks to the plant’s adaptability and resilience in various climates and conditions.
Justicia flava flourishes in its native habitats, contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystems it occupies. The plant’s robust nature and ability to thrive in diverse environments make it an important species both ecologically and aesthetically. Whether found in the wild landscapes of southern Africa or the arid terrains of the Arabian Peninsula, the Yellow justicia captures the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike with its beautiful blooms and intriguing characteristics.
Common Names
En: Yellow justicia
Synonyms
- Justicia nelsonioides (Fiori)
- Adhatoda palustris ((Hochst.) Nees)
- Ecbolium sulcatum ((Vahl) Kuntze)
- Justicia sulcata ((Vahl) Vahl)
- Justicia trifasciata (E.Mey. ex Nees)
- Dianthera flava ((Forssk.) Vahl)
- Ecbolium palustre ((Hochst.) Kuntze)
- Adhatoda minor ((Hochst.) Nees)
- Justicia fasciata ((Nees) T.Anderson)
- Adhatoda acuminata ((Hochst.) Nees)
- Adhatoda fasciata (Nees)
- Justicia palustris ((Hochst.) T.Anderson)
- Ecbolium flavum ((Forssk.) Kuntze)
- Ecbolium majus ((Hochst.) Kuntze)
- Ecbolium fasciatum ((E.Mey.) Kuntze)
- Adhatoda flava ((Forssk.) Nees)
- Tyloglossa acuminata (Hochst.)
- Carima sulcata ((Vahl) Raf.)
- Justicia fruticulosa (Lindau)
- Dicliptera fasciata (C.Presl)
- Adhatoda sulcata ((Vahl) Nees)
- Ecbolium plicatum ((Vahl) Kuntze)
- Adhatoda suaveolens (Nees)
- Adhatoda major ((Hochst.) Nees)
- Justicia palustris var. dispersa (Lindau)
- Ecbolium minus ((Hochst.) Kuntze)
- Dianthera americana var. flava (Forssk.)
- Adhatoda plicata ((Vahl) Nees)
- Justicia smithii (S.Moore)
- Justicia major ((Hochst.) T.Anderson)
- Ecbolium acuminatum ((Hochst.) Kuntze)
- Justicia minor ((Hochst.) T.Anderson)
- Gendarussa palustris (Hochst.)
- Tyloglossa minor (Hochst.)
- Tyloglossa major (Hochst.)
- Tyloglossa palustris (Hochst.)
- Justicia plicata (Vahl)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Benin (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Congo (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Susan Brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2022 by Ebenezer Owusu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Susan Brown (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Omodot Umoh (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Omodot Umoh (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Omodot Umoh (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7494800)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:50729-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Justicia flava (Forssk.) Vahl)