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The red tubular flower is commonly associated with the plant known as the hummingbird flower or scarlet trumpet. This vibrant flower is known for its unique tubular shape and ability to attract hummingbirds. The hummingbird flower grows in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world and produces clusters of bright red blooms that stand out. Let’s explore more about this fascinating flower and the plant behind it.
Quick Answer
The red tubular flower comes from the hummingbird bush or scarlet trumpet plant, which has the scientific name Ipomoea quamoclit. This plant is classified in the Convolvulaceae family and is native to tropical American climates. It is also commonly grown as an ornamental plant in home gardens. The vibrant red flowers have a specialized tubular shape perfectly suited for pollination by hummingbirds.
Description of the Hummingbird Flower
The hummingbird bush is a fast-growing, twining vine that can grow up to 20 feet tall. It has delicate, lacy green foliage and produces an abundance of flowers throughout the growing season. Each flower cluster contains up to 20 individual blooms. The flowers have five petals that flare out in a trumpet shape with a narrow base and wide mouth. From bud to full bloom, the flowers transform from bright orange to fiery red. Inside the flower is a yellowish-green pistil and five stamens. The petals also have light yellow striping on the inside.
Unique Adaptations
The tubular shape and bright red color of the hummingbird flowers are evolutionary adaptations to attract pollinators. Their long, narrow tubes perfectly match the shape of a hummingbird’s long, slender beak and tongue. The vibrant red color helps the blossoms stand out and serves as a visual signal to hummingbirds that a nectar reward awaits inside. Hummingbirds have excellent color vision and are particularly attracted to red flowers.
Growth Requirements
Hummingbird bushes thrive in warm tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. They prefer full sun exposure and moist, well-drained soil. The vines can be trellised or allowed to freely scramble over fences and arbors. Regular watering is needed to support the fast growth rate. In ideal conditions, this plant blooms continuously from spring through fall. It is also relatively pest and disease resistant.
Unique Properties of the Flowers
In addition to their visual appeal, hummingbird flowers have some special properties and uses:
- They contain abundant nectar that is especially attractive to hummingbirds.
- Their flexible petals and stamens move and bend when pollinators visit, maximizing pollen transfer.
- The flowers close up at night and open in the early morning when hummingbirds are most active.
- Their essence has been used for making perfumes.
- They have natural dying properties and can be used to make red or orange dyes from the flowers or roots.
Cultivation
Hummingbird bushes are popular ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical gardens. They can be grown from seeds or cuttings and are relatively easy to cultivate. Here are some tips for growing hummingbird flowers:
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
- Transplant seedlings or cuttings outdoors after danger of frost has passed.
- Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
- Space plants 1-3 feet apart depending on support structure.
- Provide a strong trellis, arbor or fence for the vines to climb.
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
- Pinch back tips to promote bushy growth.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flower production.
With proper care, hummingbird flower vines will thrive and produce an abundance of blossoms to enjoy season after season. The flowers also attract and nourish visiting hummingbirds.
Other Types of Red Tubular Flowers
While the scarlet trumpet plant has the most well-known red tubular blossoms, there are a few other flower varieties that share a similar tubed shape and color:
- Fuchsia – Many fuchsia flower species have pendulous tubular flowers in shades of red, purple, pink or white. They attract hummingbirds and depend on them for pollination.
- Cardinal climber – A relative of the hummingbird bush, cardinal climber (Ipomoea x multifida) has deep red flowers with trumpet-like tubes and flaring petals.
- Coral vine – Also called queen’s jewels (Antigonon leptopus), this vigorous vine has clusters of red, pink, or white flowers shaped like narrow tubes.
- Columbine – Some columbine species like red columbine (Aquilegia formosa) produce nodding, tubular red flowers with spurs that contain nectar.
- Canna lily – These tropical garden plants can have red flowers shaped like tubes or funnels, along with wide petals.
While not an exact match for the uniquely shaped hummingbird bush blooms, these plants share similar floral tubed architecture and coloration.
Conclusion
The vivid red tubular flowers associated with hummingbirds come from the aptly named hummingbird bush or scarlet trumpet plant. This tropical vine produces abundant clusters of flowers specially adapted for pollination by hummingbirds. Their tubed shape, red color, flexibility, and nectar perfectly match the characteristics of these unique pollinators. With proper care, these showy vines can be grown as ornamentals to add vibrant color and attract hummingbirds to gardens. When you see a red tubular flower blossom, you can be sure a hummingbird isn’t far away!
