Cuphea hyssopifolia

Cuphea hyssopifolia
Cuphea hyssopifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Cuphea
Species: C. hyssopifolia
Binomial name
Cuphea hyssopifolia
Kunth

Cuphea hyssopifolia, also known as False Heather, Mexican Heather, Hawaiian Heather or Elfin Herb is a small shrub which is native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.[1][2] It grows to about 60 cm high and 90 cm wide and has purple, lavender or white coloured flowers and fine foliage.[3]

The species is naturalised in Hawaii, and regarded as a serious weed there.[3]

In cultivation, the species adapts to a range of soils in a sunny or partially shaded situation with good drainage.[3] In North America it is able to be cultivated outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8B-11.[3] In colder regions it may be cultivated as an annual.[3] Plants may be propagated by cuttings, layering or division. They seed freely, and new seedlings that appear may be easily transplanted.[3]

References

  1. ^ Tenenbaum, Frances (2003). Taylor's encylopedia of garden plants. Houghton Miiflin Co.. p. 121. ISBN 9780618226443. 
  2. ^ "Taxon: Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?12632. Retrieved 24 July 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f Harrison, Marie (2006). Groundcovers for the South. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press. p. 30. ISBN 9781561643479. 
Cupheas produce numerous, small flowers
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