Native to open, semi-forested areas of Central America, firespike bush (Odontonema strictum ‘Panama Purple’) is a showy tropical shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow straight up to about 6 feet. It has glossy, dark-green leaves with wavy margins and long, pointed tips. The 4- to 6-inch long oblong leaves are arranged opposite each other along the stem. In summer through winter, firespike bush produces abundant 9- to 12-inch upright panicles of brilliant pinkish-purple, tubular flowers; the two-lipped, symmetrical individual flowers are about 1-inch long. It is one of the few such showy flowers to bloom in autumn. The firespike bush is very popular with hummingbirds and all kinds of butterflies. Unfortunately, deer also love firespike and will eat its leaves. Such defoliated plants will grow new leaves, but if deer persist, the plant eventually will die. In USDA Zones 8-11, firespike bush thrives outdoors in full sun and partial shade, where it likes moist but well-drained soil. Once established, it can tolerate all but the longest droughts. In frost-free areas, it grows as an evergreen, semi-woody shrub; in cooler zones, it usually dies back to the ground in winter and re-sprouts in spring. It has escaped cultivation and become established in disturbed hammocks in several areas in the Florida peninsula.