Crossandra infundibuliformis

Firecracker Flower, Tassel Flower

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

As there is a superconscient (something above our present consciousness) above the head from which the higher consciousness comes down into the body, so there is also a subconscient (something below our consciousness) below the feet. Matter is under the control of this power, because it is that out of which it has been created—that is why matter seems to us to be quite unconscious. The material body is very much under the influence of this power for the same reason; it is why we are not conscious of what is going on in the body, for the most part. The outer consciousness goes down into this subconscient when we are asleep, and so it becomes unaware of what is going on in us when we are asleep except for a few dreams. Many of these dreams rise up from the subconscient and are made up of old memories, impressions etc. put together in an incoherent way. For the subconscient receives impressions of all we do or experience in our lives and keeps these impressions in it, sending up often fragments of them in sleep. It is a very important part of the being, but we can do nothing much with it by the conscious will. It is the higher Force working in us that in its natural course will open the subconscient to itself and bring down into it its control and light.

Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga - IV: The Subconscient and the Integral Yoga

The subconscient is to be penetrated by the light and made a sort of bedrock of truth, a store of right impressions, right physical responses to the Truth. Strictly speaking, it will not be subconscient at all, but a sort of bank of true values held ready for use.

Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga - IV: The Subconscient and the Integral Yoga

Varieties

Message of the Flower

Supramental Influence in the Subconscient

The Mother’s Comment

Under its modest appearance, it is a great force of transformation.

Colour

Bright orange, yellow

Message of the Flower

Supramental Light in the Subconscient

The Mother’s Comment

Essential condition for transformation.

Colour

Bright yellow

Message of the Flower

Psychic Light in the Subconscient

The Mother’s Comment

Preliminary condition for progress.

Colour

Bright salmon pink

Family

Acanthaceae

Cultivars

Several, including 'Orange Marmalade', 'Lutea'

Person who named the flower

Nees von Esenbeck.

Flower Size

1-2 inches

Flower Texture

Smooth, waxy

Number of Petals

5

Floral Symmetry

Bilaterally symmetrical

Fragrance of Flower

Mildly fragrant

Leaf Texture

Glossy, leathery

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Color

Dark green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial in tropics, annual in temperate zones

Blooming Period

Year-round in ideal conditions

Climate

Tropical and subtropical

Water Requirements

Moderate, prefers well-drained

Soil Type

Rich, loamy, well-drained

Temperature Ranges

Warm, not frost-tolerant

Sun or Shade

Bright, indirect sunlight

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Spider mites, aphids

Pollinators

Bees, butterflies

Habitat

South India and Sri Lanka

Role in the Ecosystem

Attracts pollinators

Ornamental

Ornamental plant

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental

Endangered Status

Not endangered