Persian shield plant (botanical name Strobilanthes dyerianus) offers vibrant color far longer than a flowering plant. They are known for their long 4–7 inch leaves that range in color from purple to silver combined with green veins.
It is easy to see how Strobilanthes was dubbed the Persian shield. The shape of the leaves appears like little armor shields fitting for battle. Its six-inch flashy leaves have a purplish iridescence that gives them an almost silvery metallic look. Although its name is "Persian," it is native to Myanmar (formerly Burma), not Persia. It is a sub-shrub that is evergreen in hot climates. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual and is even more popular as a houseplant, because it tends to bloom during winter. The plant can grow well in containers or outdoor flowerbeds. Strobilanthes is a genus of about 350 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia.
