Growing to 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall, this semi-climbing shrub is cultivated as an ornamental for its shiny evergreen leaves and branches of attractive pendulous tubular red flowers, blooming over a long period.

It is grown in climates from warm temperate to sub-tropical, but does not survive prolonged freezing (RHS hardiness rating H2).

[2] The Latin specific epithet serpens means "snake-like".

[3] This plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[1][4] In 1851 Johann Klotzch redescribed it as Pentapterygium serpens (a name which is not accepted).