Hemia salicifolia is native to Mexico, where it has been culturally significant as a sacred plant by native people there. A drink is made from the leaves and flowers, which is said to brighten vision, which is where its name sinicuichi comes from, which means “sun opener”.
Fresh leaves are collected and added to whater and allowed to ferment in the sun. It is said that during the fermentation process, the knowledge of the sun is embedded into the potion, creating the “elixir of the sun.”. I DO NOT RECCOMMEND CONSUMING THIS PLANT IN ANY WAY.
Hemis salicifolia is an easy plant to grow. As a shrub it is attractive in a more natural looking garden. The flowers really are quite pretty. It’s not a good choice for shaping into a hedge though.
Origin
From the American Southwest to Argentina
Family
Lythraceae
Binomial nomenclature
Hemia salicifolia
Common names
Sinicuichi, Sun opener
Description
A densely-branched, deciduous, flowering shrub which grows to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Solitary, short-stalked yellow flowers bloom from the leaf axils. Each flower (3/4” across) has a campanulate calyx, 5-7 petals, 10-13 stamens and a thin style. Petals drop soon after the flowers open. Willow-like, narrow-oblong to linear-lanceolate leaves are to 3.5” long. Fruits are dry rounded 4-celled capsules containing very tiny seeds.
Height
10′ tall.
Temperature/Zone
zone 9a, 32°F.
Light
Full to part sun
Water
Keep them evenly hydrated. They like moisture, and will wilt if too dry.
Fertilizer
These are not heavy feeders, I fertilize once or twice a year with a general all purpose fertilizer.
Cultivation
I’ve had better luck with these in the ground than in containers, just because they dry out so quickly in a container. So if you are going to be growing it ina pot, give it a lot of root space.
Pests
I have not found any pests to be a problem for this plant in Florida.
