Dicliptera sexangularis

Dicliptera sexangularis (Gray) Small

Common Names: Twin Flower, False Mint, Six Angle Fold Wing

Family: Acanthaceae

Habit: Dicliptera sexangularis grows as an annual herb to subshrub up to 1.5 m in height Stems hexagonal with new vegetation glandular. The leaves are arranged oppositely, up to 11 cm in length and 5 cm wide, ovate to lanceolate with an entire ciliate margin and acute/acuminate leaf apex.

The complete, perfect, zygomorphic flowers are arranged in axillary and terminal spikes/panicles. Each flower subtended by glandular bracts. The calyx has 5, tan, sepals that are slightly fused at their base.  The curved corolla has 5 scarlet red in 2 sets (2 upper petals and 3 lower petals).  There are 2 stamens that are fused to the corolla tube.  The superior ovary has 2 locules and numerous ovules. The fruit is a round capsule at maturity.

Habitat: Dicliptera sexangularis grows in Human Altered environments (yards, gardens).

Distribution: Dicliptera sexangularis is occurs on all island groupings within the Lucayan Archipelago as well as Florida, the general Caribbean region and Central and South America.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Dicliptera sexangularis is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.