Green Shrimp Plant

Green Shrimp Plant (Blechum pyramidatum) is also known by the common names of Wild Hops and Browne’s Blechum and is native throughout Mexico to Northern South America but has spread in sections of Florida, Texas and the Pacific islands. This member of the Acanthus family has an original range that is somewhat uncertain as this plant is well established in many areas of the tropics. Green Shrimp Plant is listed as an invasive species in Florida and care should be taken not to let it naturalize outside of a garden.

Green Shrimp Plant is the host for the Malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) and is listed as an occasional host for the White Peacock butterfly (Anartia jatrophae) although I have never seen this species select Green Shrimp Plant for egg laying. Malachite butterflies are usually found only in the extreme south of Florida and Texas and generally don’t stray as far north as the Tampa Bay region.