Firebush

Uses

Hummingbirds are attracted by its flowers and other birds feed on the fruit, both of which will also forage on small insects found in the vicinity, helping to keep down pests. The fruit have a refreshing, acidic taste and are also edible by humans; in Mexico, they are made into a fermented drink.Also, the plants are used in folk medicine against a range of ailments. A number of active compounds have been found in firebush, including maruquine, isomaruquine, pteropodine, isopteropodine, palmirine, rumberine, seneciophylline and stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione. The bark contains significant amounts of tannins. No scientific study of the medical usefulness of "Hamelia patens" has been conducted.
In Belize this plant's Mayan Name is Ix Canaan and is also known as "Guardian of the Forest". It is valued for the leaves which are used in preparations for treating skin conditions and infections.