Cuphea hyssopifolia
Common name
false heather
Family
Lythraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
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
Etymology
cuphea: From the Greek kuphos ‘curved’, referring to the shape of the seed pod.
Tolerances
In Hawaii, as in NZ, the plant has become wild in both “normal” disturbed sites and in stream beds.