''Cuphea ignea'', the cigar plant, cigar flower, firecracker plant, or Mexican cigar, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
in the
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
''Cuphea'' of the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Lythraceae. It is a tropical, densely branched
evergreen
In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...
subshrub
A subshrub (Latin ''suffrutex'') or dwarf shrub is a short shrub, and is a woody plant. Prostrate shrub is a related term. "Subshrub" is often used interchangeably with "bush".Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Der ...
. This species,
native
Native may refer to:
People
* Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth
* Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory
** Native Americans (disambiguation)
In arts and entert ...
to Mexico and the West Indies, produces small, tubular, bright red to orange
flowers
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...
.
Each flower is tipped with a thin white rim and two small purple-black petals. The flowers, which are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies,
resemble lit cigars, hence the name ''ignea'', which is Latin for "fiery".
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 .
Cultivation
In
temperate climate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...
s ''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
A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...
. In the UK this plant has gained the
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity.
The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nort ...
's
Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
(confirmed 2017).
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.
References
* ''
Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe
''Flore des Serres et des Jardins de l'Europe'' (French for ''Flowers of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe'') (18451888) was one of the finest horticulture journals produced in Europe during the 19th century, spanning 23 volumes and over 200 ...
''. Ghent (Gand) 5: t. 500c. 1849
External links
HEAR information
ignea
Flora of California
Flora of Florida
{{Myrtales-stub