Cuphea carthagenensis

Botanical Description

Cuphea carthagenensis is an erect to sprawling, more or less annual plant, though it often becomes more or less woody at the base and can persist for more than 12 months. Usually much-branched, it can grow up to 50cm tall[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ , 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes cultivated for medicinal use and is also sold in local markets[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. 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 often grown as an ornamental, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. The plant is grown as an ornamental and has often escaped from cultivation - it is classed as a weed in many tropical and subtropical areas and is deemed invasive. In Indonesia, for example, it dominates corn (Zea Mays) plantings and is considered one of the worst ten weeds. On Vanuatu, it is a serious pest of coconut (Cocos nucifera) groves and in pasture. It is also a weed of taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Fiji[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].