Plants · La Saladita, Guerrero

Firebush

Hamelia patens

Spanish: Coralillo

Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Photographed by valjala81 on iNaturalist · CC-BY-NC

Hamelia patens is a large perennial shrub or small tree in the coffee family, Rubiaceae, that is native to the American subtropics and tropics. Its range extends from Florida in the southern United States to as far south as Argentina. Common names include firebush, hummingbird bush, scarlet bush, and redhead. In Belize, this plant's Mayan name is Ix Canaan and is also known as "Guardian of the Forest". Most often recorded in Feb, Jun, Aug, Oct.

TaxonomyMagnoliopsida › Gentianales › Rubiaceae
Local records4 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records22,399 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2020 – 2024
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Plants guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Firebush (Hamelia patens) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/hamelia-patens/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.