Lythraceae FAMILY

Cuphea procumbens

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Cuphea procumbens is an erect, annual plant with long often procumbent branches; it can grow up to 60cm tall. The plant is sticky to the touch due to the presence of reddish, glandular hairs covering the stem[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. This is one of several species in this genus that have been identified as potential commercial seedcrops, grown for their oil. Although a tropical plant, it is said to be suitable for cultivation in some temperate regions. The plant is also grown for summer bedding in the temperate zone,

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern N. America - southern Mexico

HabitatNaturalized in waste places and thickets in N. Carolina[ 72 Title Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Publication Author Small J.K. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher University of N. Carolina Press. Year 1933 ISBN Description Getting rather dated now, an immense work covering the flora of Southeastern N. America. No pictures, it is not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].