LUCKY RED BIRD PLANT

I have actually had the Pedilanthus (which is actually a leafy shrub with zig-zag stems) growing in my own house garden and that of the school garden for a long time. The thing was that I did not know what it was called. Furthermore, the types that I had did not have flowers. I know that there is a few types of the Pedilanthus that bear flowers and it seems that they are all the rage now since it is being touted as a lucky plant. In addition to the common name "red bird plant," Pedilanthus is also known as "devil's backbone" or "Jacob's ladder."

Read the article below that I sourced from the Star Newspaper about the Red Bird Plant:


Saturday January 23, 2010
‘Bird flower’ becomes cash cow for nursery owner
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

JOHOR BARU: An Indonesian flowering plant with pretty blooms in the shape of dainty sparrows is raking in money for a nursery here.
More so when it is said that a customer got lucky by striking the lottery soon after buying the plant last year.
Since then the plant, simply called seow niao hwa (“little bird flower” in Mandarin), has been a cash cow for Ming Nursery owner Ng Meng Hak.
Ng had initially brought in the flower, scientifically known as Pedilanthus, as an addition to the plants in his nursery.
He never imagined it would be such a hit among customers.
Business has picked up as Chinese New Year approaches, with families wanting something pretty and unique to brighten up their homes for the festive occasion.
The plant costs between RM30 and RM300 each, depending on size.
“Customers like its beautiful blooms and they believe the flowers bring a lot of luck. The story about my customer striking the lottery helped a lot,” said Ng with a smile.
He had sold about 10 pots of such flowers and had ordered up to 300 in anticipation of the demand during Chinese New Year.
He added that most customers would enquire about the flower when they visit his nursery in Taman Melodies here.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/23/nation/5529718&sec=nation