Brazilian Red Cloak

The Brazilian red cloak (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys) is a dense evergreen shrub with prominently veined leaves and upright spikes of white flowers framed by showy red bracts. The Royal Horticultural Society gives a mature height and spread of 1.5–2.5 metres and notes flowering from late summer into winter, with occasional blooms at other times. ## Characteristics Kew recognizes Megaskepasma erythrochlamys as the accepted species name and identifies Lindau as its botanical author, not a cultivar denomination. The RHS describes a branching, bushy shrub with oval leaves that can reach 40 centimetres long. Its listed height and spread ranges are converted faithfully to about 4.9–8.2 feet; the existing point height is not retained because it exceeds that source range. ## Growing Grow under glass or in a frost-free setting, in moist but well-drained soil. The RHS recommends full sun or partial shade and lists British hardiness rating H1B; that rating is not a USDA zone. The species is native to Venezuela and Suriname, according to Kew. ## Maintenance The RHS advises that stems can be pruned hard in spring to maintain a bushy shape. See the [RHS Brazilian red cloak profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/253218/megaskepasma-erythrochlamys/details) and [Kew accepted-name record](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:155854-2) for botanical and growing details.