I was told this plant is anti-diabetic, but I am unable to ID it. I thought it was sambung, but it has small orange flowers.

Looks like a type of Justicia. There are several orange flowered species.

Can't really research further right now because (sh-h-h... I'm at work).

Thanks for putting me on the right path rattlebox. :)

I am looking at justicia coccinea right now, but the flowers appear a bit more red than orange.

Upon further research, I believe this is Justicia chrysostephana. Can anyone verify this?

Or is it, justicia spicigera?

J. chrysostephana is reddish on the undersides of the leaves, particularly the veins. J. sp. 'Sidicaro' is often mis-id'ed as J. chrysostephana, however.

J. 'Sidicaro' wants to be a large shrub, with strong upright stems and large 6" x4" leaves.

Also look at the flower's lower lip. Tightly curled on 'Sidicaro', aka Orange Justicia.

I believe j. spicigera "sidicaro" is correct. :)

It has research behind it to back its anti diabetic properties as well.

If interested in the research,

functionalfoodscenter.net/files/94581638.pdf

I am going to plant this right now. :)

Thanks for all the help.

J. spicigera and J. 'Sidicaro' are two different species.

Again, look to the flower's lower lip. Not tightly curled on J. spicigera.

As far as I know, 'Sidicaro' has not yet been formally described. Part of the reason for this is lack of collection data. The original source of collection is obscure.

Check the link The thread "Justicia 'Orange Flame'" in Plant Database forum for a discussion in which I had been involved.

Good to know, I will take some more pics and post them when they are heartily growing.

Thanks again rattlebox.

Looking forward to more photos as the plant grows!

Now that I'm home and can research more easily, I'm leaning toward Justicia spicigera.

From what I can tell:
> 'Sidicaro' has large, wide, bullate leaves, tips tend to be rather blunt. flower clusters are dense and tightly held. The flower clusters are beautiful, but the shrub overall is rather coarse in appearance.

> Leaves of Justicia spicigera tend to be long and narrow with an acute point. The medium-texture shrub tends to be fuller and more attractive when not in bloom. Flower clusters are numerous but are more sparse and more loosely held. I have noticed the lower lip of the bloom also tends to curl under tightly on this species.

> The similar Justicia leonardii has smaller leaves that are somewhat fuzzy.

At best it's a confusing mess, with many photos on the internet clearly misidentified.

Regardless which you have, give it adequate moisture, plenty of bright morning sun, and shade it from the hot afternoon sun and you will have a great-looking shrub on your hands.

Don't forget to post more pictures as your plant develops (adding to this thread is ideal, as your post will automatically pop up on my profile so I won't miss it).

Are you located in Costa Rica, the States, or where?