Species

Cuphea hyssopifolia

Etymology

Cuphea: From the Greek kuphos 'curved', referring to the shape of the seed pod.

Common Name(s)

false heather

Family

Lythraceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Habitat

Is one of several Central American plants who's habitat is almost wholly confined to large rocks along the edges of usually swift streams. These rocks project above the mean level of the stream, but during times of heavy rain the plants are often covered with rushing water.

Flowering

January, February, March, April

Flower Colours

Red / Pink,Violet / Purple

Year Naturalised

1985

Origin

Mexico, Guatemala

Tolerances
In Hawaii, as in NZ, the plant has become wild in both "normal" disturbed sites and in stream beds.

References and further reading

Gardner, R.O. 1998. Stream sides of false heather Cuphea hyssopifolia Lythraceae. Auckland Botanical Society Journal, 63: 65.

This page last updated on 16 Jan 2013