Beloperone guttata (Justicia brandegeeana), the shrimp plant, is an ornamental of the Acanthaceae family, grown for its unique, colourful flower heads.

Characteristics
A small evergreen perennial shrub reaching about 1-1.5 m, bushy with slender stems and opposite leaves. The leaves are oval to lanceolate, dark green, slightly hairy and sometimes finely toothed. Its distinctive feature is the inflorescence, shaped like a shrimp: overlapping bracts in reddish orange, yellow or pink enclose small white tubular flowers, produced almost continuously from spring to autumn and attractive to pollinators.

Growing and care
A bright position out of scorching sun, in fertile, well drained soil kept slightly moist. It is frost tender, so in temperate climates grow it in pots and shelter it below about 5 °C. Pinch and prune in late winter to keep it compact and flowering freely.

Uses
Containers on terraces, balconies and verandas, warm sheltered borders, conservatories and as a long flowering house plant.