Cuphea ignea
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Cuphea ignea1.jpg
| status = G5
| status_system = TNC
| genus = Cuphea
| species = ignea
| authority = A.DC.
}}
Cuphea ignea, the cigar plant, cigar flower,{{cite web|url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=Scientific_Name&search_kingdom=every&search_span=exactly_for&categories=All&source=html&search_credRating=All&search_value=Cuphea%20ignea |title=ITIS Standard Report Page: Cuphea ignea |publisher=Itis.gov |date= |accessdate=2010-07-30}} firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cuphea of the family Lythraceae. It is a tropical, densely branched evergreen subshrub.{{cite web|url=http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cuph_ign.cfm |title=Cuphea ignea |publisher=Floridata |date= |accessdate=2010-07-30}} This species, native to Mexico and the West Indies, produces small, tubular, bright red to orange flowers.{{Cite web|title=Cuphea ignea|url=http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c516|url-status=live|access-date=February 19, 2021|website=Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224002050/http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c516 |archive-date=2014-02-24 }} Each flower is tipped with a thin white rim and two small purple-black petals. The flowers, which are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies,{{Cite web|title=Cuphea ignea (Firecracker Plant, Mexican Cigar Plant) {{!}} North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox|url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cuphea-ignea/|access-date=2021-02-20|website=plants.ces.ncsu.edu}} resemble lit cigars, hence the name ignea, which is Latin for "fiery".{{cite web|url=http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=C516 |title=Cuphea ignea |publisher=Mobot.org |date= |accessdate=2010-07-30}}
The genus name Cuphea comes from the Greek word kyphos which means curved or humped; this is thought to refer to the shape of the seeds. The leaves are small, elliptical and of a bright green colour. It grows to about {{convert|60|cm|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://titanarum.uconn.edu/198500176.html |title=Cuphea ignea {Lythraceae} Cigar Flower, Cigarette Plant |publisher=Titanarum.uconn.edu |accessdate=2010-07-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630061802/http://titanarum.uconn.edu/198500176.html |archivedate=2010-06-30 }}
Cultivation
In temperate climates Cuphea ignea requires a warm, sheltered spot, as it does not tolerate frost. Alternately it may be grown under glass or indoors as a houseplant. In the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit{{cite web|title=Cuphea ignea|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/5037/Cuphea-ignea/Details|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|accessdate=2020-04-17}} (confirmed 2017).{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 26 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 24 January 2018}}
In the US, Cuphea ignea is winter hardy to USDA zones 10–12. It is somewhat drought tolerant, but prefers well-watered, well-drained soils.
Cuphea ignea-IMG 9713.JPG
Cuphea ignea3.jpg
Cuphea ignea 11zz.jpg
References
{{Reflist}}
- Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe. Ghent (Gand) 5: t. 500c. 1849
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090703152846/http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/cuphea_ignea.htm HEAR information]
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