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Native Plant Society of Texas

Sixangle Foldwing

Dicliptera sexangularis

Other common name(s):

Dicliptera

Family:

Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
4
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds

Maintenance

A prolific self seeder and will spread easily. Give lots of room, thin as needed, or remove seed heads to prevent reproduction. Requires supplemental watering during dry hot weather. Forms large colonies in disturbed places. Works well as an understory plant. Native habitat: along the coast on the margins of hammocks and tidal swamps. Propagation: seed, cutting.

Comments

Blooms February-November. From is erect, with 6-angled stems. Leaves are oval to lance-shape. Bright red, tubular flowers are arranged in spikes or panicles. The fruit is a round, green to brown, inconspicuous capsule. Larval host: Pale-banded Crescent, Texas Crescent, and Crimson Patch butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Diapedium assurgens, Dicliptera assurgens, Dicliptera assurgens var. vahliana, Dicliptera vahliana, Justicia assurgens

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=502052&print_version=PRT&source=to_print#nullc, 2) https://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Dicliptera, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DISE9. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Dicliptera+sexangularis&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 5) Richardson, Alfred. Plants of Deep South Texas: A Field Guide to the Woody and Flowering Species (Perspectives on South Texas, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville) (p. 49). Texas A&M University Press. 6) https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Diclsexa, 7) https://levypreserve.org/plant-listings/dicliptera-sexangularis/#:~:text=Habit:%20Dicliptera%20sexangularis%20grows%20as,medicinally%20in%20the%20Lucayan%20Archipelago.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment For successful germination, maintain a temperature between 70°F and 75°F with consistent moisture. This creates an ideal environment for the seeds to sprout. Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, it's time to transplant them. Move them to larger pots or directly into the garden, ensuring they are spaced appropriately to allow for growth. Collecting seeds from Dicliptera sexangularis is best done in late summer when the seed pods are dry. Gently harvest the seeds by hand or use a small container to catch them as they fall. https://greg.app/dicliptera-sexangularis-overview/#:~:text=With%20these%20tips%2C%20you're,but%20out%20of%20direct%20sunlight.
Stem Cutting For the rooting medium, a mix of perlite and peat moss works wonders. This combination provides excellent drainage while retaining necessary moisture. During the rooting process, keep the cuttings in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight. Maintain consistent moisture in the soil to encourage healthy root development. When propagating through cuttings, select healthy stems in late spring or early summer. Use sharp, clean scissors to make a cut just below a node for the best chance of rooting. https://greg.app/dicliptera-sexangularis-overview/#:~:text=With%20these%20tips%2C%20you're,but%20out%20of%20direct%20sunlight.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason