Odontonema strictum is belong to Acanthaceae family. Firespike is native to open, semi-forested areas in Central America.  It has escaped cultivation and become established in disturbed hammocks in several areas in peninsular of Florida.

Odontonema strictum is a showy, attractive, compact evergreen shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow mostly straight up to about 150-200cm tall. It has shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins and long pointed tips. The leaves are oblong, arranged opposite each other on the stem, and 10–15 cm long. From autum through winter firespike produces abundant 20–30cm upright panicles of brilliant red tubular flowers. The individual flowers are about 2cm long and two-lipped.

Firespike do best if planted in partial shade with a rich well-drained soil but also does well in full sun. Once established it can tolerate all but the longest droughts. Established plants should be watered even if it hasn’t rained for more than two or three weeks.

In frost-free areas Odontonema strictum grows as an evergreen semi-woody shrub. In zones 8 and 9 it usually dies back to the ground in winter and resprouts in spring.

Propagation: Softwood cuttings are very easy to root, and they will bloom in their first year.

Use in landscape: The strikingly beautiful crimson flowers and shiny leaves of firespike brighten the fall landscape. Plant firespike in mixed shrub borders. It will spread by underground sprouting, enlarging to form a thicket, but it is easy to control and keep contained. Firespike is a must-have for subtropical and hot temparete butterfly and hummingbird gardens.