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Cuphea ignea A. DC.
| Family Name: | Lythraceae |
| Synonyms: | Cuphea platycentra |
| Common Name: | Mexican Cigar Flower, Firecracker Plant, Cigar Flower, Cigarette Plant, Red-white-and-blue Flower, 雪茄花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 0.7 m to 0.9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.7 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Low woody shrub, up to 0.9 m tall. Densely-branched, with compact rounded form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves small, lanced-shaped, densely arranged in opposite pairs or whorls around stems. |
| Stems | Stems thin and somewhat brittle; young stems reddish. |
| Flowers | Flowers small (2.5cm long), produced singly from leaf axils, no petals, colourful tubular parts are actually orange-red calyxes (fused sepals), longitudinally grooved, with white and purple-blue tips, and basal hypanthium (rounded sac-like protuberance at base). Rich source of nectar, attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and ants. |
| Fruit | Fruits are papery explosive capsules containing tiny dark brown seeds. |
| Cultivation | Likes fertile well-drained soils. Tip-prune regularly to maintain shape. If base gets bare, plant may be hard-pruned to encourage new growth. Leggy base may be hidden by planting shorter companion plants in front, eg. Cuphea hyssopifolia (False Heather). Propagate by tip-cuttings or seeds -- scatter on a layer of compost or vermiculture, and expose to light, germination occurs in 1 - 3 weeks. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Cuphea' means 'curved', referring to the shape of seed capsules. Species epithet 'ignea' means 'glowing red' or 'on fire', a reference to the colourful flowers which resemble small burning cigars or firecrackers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Plant produces fatty acids similar to that derived from oil palm kernel -- a main ingredient used in soaps and shampoos. Could be a potential source of oils for industrial use. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Suitable as free-flowering ornamental in the foreground of flower borders, or as container plant in small spaces (eg. sunny balconies and patios). |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Butterfly Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Weak Branches |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks | pH 5.6 - 8.5 |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting (Flowers), Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp), Insects (Butterfly, Moth), Insects (Bee)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Tip-prune regularly to maintain rounded form. If plant gets leggy, can be hard-pruned to encourage new growth. |
| Diseases | May be affected by foliage-eating Japanese Beetles. Spray to control beetles, but this will repel non-pest wildlife. |
| Pest(s) | Associated with, Chewing Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Use stem-tip cuttings. Seeds can be sprinkled on a layer of compost or vermiculite. Light needed for germination. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue, Orange, Red, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 604 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1899 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
